ENVIRONMENT FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the Government's priorities for the Agriculture and Fisheries Council will be during the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The overall Council Agenda for 2004–06 is set out in the Multi-Annual Strategic Programme and the UK-Luxembourg Annual Operating Programme (AOP) for 2005, copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House. The agenda for the UK Presidency will be determined, to a large extent, by the agenda we inherit from the Luxembourg Presidency and their progress on the dossiers identified in the Multi-Annual Strategic Programme and the Annual Operating Programme.
	Consistent with the Government's priorities of promoting better regulation, sustainable development and economic reform in the EU, the key priorities in the agriculture sector in 2005 will be: to contribute to progress of the WTO development round, particularly through reform of the sugar sector; and make progress on the Rural Development regulation and the regulation on CAP financing, if these have not been concluded beforehand.
	The Council is also likely to be dealing with dossiers on organic farming, fruit and vegetables, flax and hemp, wine, avian influenza, aquaculture health, welfare of broiler hens, BSE, animal by-products, forest law enforcement, fisheries conservation, third country fisheries agreements, simplification of fisheries legislation, improvements to fisheries control and inspection, the European Fisheries Fund and the setting of total allowable catches and quotas for the fishing industry in 2006.

Animal Rights Activists

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the safety from animal rights activists of agricultural landowners who have their details published on the Department's website when applying for a temporary closure of right to roam land during the shooting season.

Alun Michael: Personal details of applicants are not published on the Countryside Agency's website.
	Shooting often proceeds without difficulty on access land without any formal restriction being put in place. Where an application is made for this or any other reason and a restriction is granted, the location and nature of the restriction and the reason for it appears on the Countryside Agency's www.openaccess.gov.uk website, so that members of the public wishing to check in advance about the possible existence of restrictions over an area of access land are able to do so.
	The land manager has the further option to post local notices drawing attention to the restriction. A model site notice is issued with the direction imposing the restriction—but the decision as to whether to post the notice lies with the land manager.
	If animal rights activists or others set out to disrupt lawful activities on access land or to intimidate those taking parts in shoots, Part V of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 provides clear scope for immediate action by the police.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the reasons are for her assessment that the UK would not be able to achieve the Government's original target of a 20 per cent. carbon dioxide reduction by 2010; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: While the projections published by DTI in November 2004 confirmed that, on the basis of existing policy measures, we were on track to go well beyond our Kyoto Protocol commitment, they also showed that we were only likely to achieve a 14 per cent. reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2010.
	The shortfall is because projected emissions were higher than previous estimates due mainly to lower nuclear generation, higher electricity demand and higher coal generation and because the measures to reduce emissions were in aggregate expected to deliver less than originally anticipated. The current review of the UK's Climate Change Programme will consider what additional measures are needed to close the gap.
	A copy of the DTI exercise to update energy and emissions projections is at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/projections.pdf
	A copy of the addendum to the November report is at http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/sepn/uep_addendum.pdf

Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Michael Jack: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the reasoning and methodology the Government employed in determining that a UK target for carbon dioxide reduction of 20 per cent. was achievable.

Elliot Morley: The UK's 3rd National Communication under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) sets out the reasoning and methodology employed by the Government in determining that a UK target for carbon dioxide reduction of 20 per cent. was achievable.
	A copy is available on the Defra website at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/climatechange/3nc/default.htm

Chicken Welfare

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what recent research she has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on (i) the effects on the welfare of hens of enriched battery cages and (ii) the economic effects of switchingto alternative systems; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Defra research into the welfare aspects of enriched cages is on-going. Details of current and past projects and reports can be found on the Defra website.
	A Regulatory Impact Assessment was prepared during implementation of Council Directive 99/74/EC concerning the welfare of laying hens. To help formulate our thinking for the next review of the Directive, we will be taking into account the latest scientific and veterinary information on the different systems of laying hens production as well as environmental, political, social and economic factors.

Coral Reefs

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the state of the UK's coral reefs; and what future changes she expects to see due to climate change.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 20 January 2005
	The UK has a small number of known cold-water coral reefs. The best studied of these is the Darwin Mounds some 150 km off the north-west coast of Scotland. When last surveyed in 2000, there was evidence of damage from bottom trawling. The UK sought, and was granted in 2003, emergency European Commission measures to restrict this type of fishing and so avoid further damage to the reef. The emergency measures were made permanent in 2004. It is hoped that surveys in 2005 will enable the condition of other possible reefs to be checked.
	It is not certain what the full effects of global warming will be on the seas of the UK although it seems unlikely that warming of the seas will be great enough to affect cold-water corals in the short to medium future. Deep-water reefs are less likely to be affected.
	The rise in CO 2 in the atmosphere is likely to cause a rise in acidity of surface waters, and affect the amount of calcium carbonate used by coral reefs for growth in shallow waters. How these predicted effects in shallower waters will affect deeper waters is not known, but any decreases in amounts of available calcium carbonate will not be beneficial to coral reefs.

Cormorants

Anne Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to what level the (a) UK and (b) English population of the cormorant would need to fall (i) in the breeding season and (ii) in winter for the Government to decide that it was no longer meeting its obligations for this species under the EU Birds Directive.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government's obligation under the Birds Directive is to ensure that measures taken under the directive do not worsen the initial status of the species protected. The directive was made in 1979 and although no accurate figures for wintering or breeding cormorant numbers are available for this date, it is generally accepted from monitoring of trends that wintering numbers in Britain have increased around four-fold since that date. These are our legal obligations. However, we have no intention of allowing the cormorant population to be reduced to anything approaching this level and the current policy, which aims to resolve cormorant/fishery conflicts at problem sites, will balance the interests of fisheries with the sustainable conservation status of the cormorant.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Andrew George: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate she has made of the quantity of (a) unapproved and (b) experimental GM material entering (i) animal feed and (ii) food intended for human consumption.

Elliot Morley: Importers and suppliers of food and feed have the responsibility for ensuring that only GM material approved under relevant EU legislation are imported into the EU and supplied through the food and feed chain. Our information is that importers and suppliers take these responsibilities seriously and that the quantity (if any) of unapproved GM material in the food and feed supply chain will be very low.
	In the UK release of experimental GM material is closely controlled and strict precautions taken to prevent it from entering the food or feed chain.

Greyhound Licensing

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will require British Greyhound Racing Board members' (a) kennels and (b) tracks to be licensed by local authorities; and if she will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: Under the proposed Animal Welfare Bill, the Secretary of State will be able to introduce secondary legislation regulating certain activities, and the welfare of racing greyhounds is a possible area for regulation. No decisions have yet been taken as to the level of regulation that should apply. Dogs in the care of man, which includes racing greyhounds, would also be protected by the welfare and cruelty provisions in the Bill.

DEPUTY PRIME MINISTER

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the establishment of central-local partnerships in relation to antisocial behaviour; and what their (a) terms of reference and (b) membership will be.

Yvette Cooper: The last Central Local Partnership (CLP) meeting agreed to set up a CLP sub-group on Crime. Antisocial behaviour issues could be covered under this new sub-group. Terms of Reference and membership are yet to be decided.

Building Regulations

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the potential to achieve the objectives of (a) lower fuel bills and (b) lower carbon emissions through amending Part L of the Building Regulations; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: The most recent assessment is contained in the consultation document published last July by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. That document contains proposals to raise the standards in Part L this year in line with the commitments in the Energy White Paper. As normal, the proposals aim to achieve substantial improvements consistent with Better Regulation policy, cost-effectiveness, design flexibility and the avoidance of excessive technical risks.

Flood Risks

Andrew Love: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister whether he plans to ban the use of oil tanks and oil heating systems in flood plains and coastal areas believed to be at risk from flooding in respect of (a) new housing and (b) existing housing; what representations he has received regarding this from the Environment Agency; and if he will make a statement.

Phil Hope: There are currently no plans to prohibit the use of oil tanks and oil heating systems in areas which are at risk from flooding and, to date, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has received no representations from the Environment Agency concerning this issue.

Living Spaces Programme

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister which projects in the Eddisbury constituency under the Living Spaces programme have (a) applied for funds, (b) been supported with funds, (c) been refused funds and (d) have applications pending that were submitted before the 21 July 2004 deadline.

Phil Hope: Five projects in the Eddisbury constituency have applied for funding from the Living Spaces programme. Four projects have been approved and awarded funding. They are:
	The Nantwich Embankment Environmental Improvement Scheme project which has been awarded a grant of £40,000.
	The Nursery Road Recreation Ground Revitalisation project which has been awarded a grant of £82,275.
	The Comberbach Recreation Area project (phase 1) which has been awarded a grant of £25,000.
	The Moulton Children's Playing Field Trust Improvements project which has been awarded a grant of £25,000.
	The fifth group has had its initial application approved and has since worked up their plans with the help of a trained Living Spaces enabler. Once Living Spaces receives a final recommendation from the enabler a decision on funding will be taken. This project is:
	The Comberbach Recreation Area project (phase 2) which has applied for a grant of £25,000.
	To date, no applications from groups in the Eddisbury constituency have been refused funds from the Living Spaces programme.

New Build Standards (South Midlands)

Andrew Selous: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1)  whether the Building Research Establishment standards of (a) EcoHomes and (b) BREAM will be applied in the construction of new homes in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands sub-region as part of the sustainable communities plan;
	(2)  what steps the Government are taking to ensure that the proposed new housing in the Milton Keynes and South Midlands sub-region has high standards of energy efficiency and thermal insulation.

Phil Hope: The Government are not in a position to impose mandatory environmental standards specific to housing in the Milton Keynes South Midlands sub-region as the boundaries of the growth areas do not have any legal status. Furthermore, to set such mandatory standards could potentially lead to perverse consequences, by providing a disincentive to development in the growth areas relative to other areas.
	However, the Government are keen to promote the construction of sustainable and energy efficient housing in the growth areas and believes that local delivery vehicles (LDVs) have an important role to play in promoting all aspects of sustainable development. Draft guidance has been circulated to the LDVs in the newer growth areas which identifies achievement of high quality design and higher environmental performance as being among their main objectives.
	More generally, the Government are keen to promote environmentally sustainable and energy efficient housing throughout the country. In line with the commitments made in the Energy White Paper and at the Better Building Conference work is in train on bringing the next major revision of the building regulations energy efficiency provisions into effect this year and to publish a Sustainable Buildings Code that will encourage energy efficiency standards above those in the regulations and address sustainability more widely. For publicly funded housing, the Housing Corporation is already recommending that social housing schemes should achieve an EcoHomes rating of very good" from April 2005 with the good" rating as an essential condition for a project to receive a grant.

Regional Government (North-west)

David Maclean: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister 
	(1) if he will make a statement on the legal status of the unelected regional structures that have been established in the north-west region;
	(2)  what the legal status is of the North West regional chamber; and if he will make a statement.

Nick Raynsford: The North West Regional Assembly is an unincorporated association designated by the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister under section 8 of the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 as the regional chamber for the North West Regional Development Agency. Further to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 the North West Regional Assembly has been designated by the Secretary of State, my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister as the Regional Planning Body for the region.
	The North West Regional Development Agency is a body corporate established under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998.

Right to Buy

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what discussions he has had with (a) housing associations, (b) the Housing Corporation and (c) banks about the effects of a right to buy for housing association tenants on the (a) financial projections and (b) business plans of registered social landlords and their funders.

Keith Hill: There have been no such discussions about the extension of the right-to-buy for housing association tenants.

Telecommunications Masts

Tom Cox: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many objections have been made to his Department by residents living within the Greater London area to the siting of mobile telephone masts within their borough; and if he will make a statement.

Keith Hill: The information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

CULTURE MEDIA AND SPORT

Digital Switchover

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Government intend to launch a public awareness campaign in advance of digital switchover; and if she will make a statement.

Richard Caborn: holding answer 19 January 2005
	The responsibility for communicating the switchover process and ensuring that everyone gets all the right information well in advance will primarily be one for Switchco", broadcasters and the supply chain. The Government will continue to take responsibility for communicating its switchover policy, and we have been running, since November, a campaign to help raise awareness of digital switchover through the mainstream media, which will continue until March.

National Lottery

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport whether the Government funded the recent Henley Centre publication Has the National Lottery helped the UK.

Estelle Morris: The Government did not fund the recent Henley Centre publication. The research was commissioned and published by the Camelot group.
	The report concludes that the National Lottery has produced significant social and economic benefits within the UK.

TV Licensing Enforcement Unit

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what mechanisms are in place to ensure that the TV Licensing Enforcement Unit does not pursue pensioners over the age of seventy-five years who are entitled to a free TV licence.

Richard Caborn: People aged 75 or over are entitled to a free television licence but are not exempt from the television licensing requirements. However, the BBC has indicated that TV Licensing carries out extensive public awareness campaigns to inform over-75s of their entitlement, that inquiry letters sent to unlicensed addresses include information on the concession and that inquiry officers carrying out home visits are specifically trained to assist over-75s in applying for free licences.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMISSION

Freedom of Information

John Mann: To ask the Chairman of the Public Accounts Commission what categories of information are available under Freedom of Information legislation that have not been provided in written parliamentary answers on behalf of the Public Accounts Commission in the last three years.

Alan Williams: The Public Accounts Commission already pursues a policy of maximum transparency and openness in its proceedings. It has achieved this both by meeting in public and by publishing a wide range of material about its activities, including regular reports to the House. I am not aware of any examples in the last three years of information which has been refused in response to a parliamentary question but which would be provided under the Freedom of Information Act.

TREASURY

Child Benefit (Hartlepool)

Iain Wright: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the number of additional 16 to 19-year-olds in Hartlepool that will be entitled to childbenefit if the Child Benefit Bill receives Royal Assent.

Dawn Primarolo: If the Child Benefit Bill receives Royal Assent it will enable the Government to extend child benefit to the families of unwaged trainees on Government Supported Training and the families of 19-year-olds in full-time education or training finishing a course.
	In relation to the number of families who may gain from the extension of child benefit for unwaged trainees, there were approximately 4,750 young people aged 16–19 on unwaged Government Supported Training courses in Tees Valley Local Learning and Skills Council in 2003–04.
	There is insufficient data to estimate the number of families who would gain from the extension of child benefit to over 19-year-olds finishing their courses.

Criminal Offences

Mark Oaten: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the criminal offences created in legislation sponsored by his Department in the (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2003–04 session, broken down by Act.

Stephen Timms: The following provisions created criminal offences in primary legislation sponsored by HM Treasury in the 2002–03 and 2003–04 sessions:
	Finance Act 2003
	Section 17(5)—Being supplied with goods or services in contravention of paragraph 4(2) of Schedule 11 of the Value Added Tax Act 1994 (Power to require security and production of evidence).
	Section 94—Delay or obstruction of officer inspecting premises.
	Section 95—Fraudulent evasion of tax.
	Schedule 13, paragraph 53—Falsification, concealment, destruction or disposal of documents.
	Child Trust Funds Act 2004
	Section 18—Disclosure of information held in exercise of child trust fund functions.
	Finance Act 2004
	Schedule 1, paragraph 5—Possession, sale etc. of unstamped containers containing liquor.
	Schedule 1, paragraph 6—Use of premises for sale of liquor in or from unstamped containers.
	Schedule 1, paragraph 7—Sale of liquor following conviction for offence under paragraph 6.
	National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Act 2004
	Section 7—Falsification, concealment, destruction or disposal of documents delivered or made available under section 110ZA of the Social Security Administration Act 1992 (Class 1, 1A, 78or 2 contributions: powers to call for documents etc).
	Section 8—as for section 7 above, but in respect of Northern Ireland.

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the running costs of the Department were in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) electricity, (b) water, (c) gas, (d) telephones, (e) mobile telephones and (f) televisions;
	(2)  how much has been spent by his Department on lighting in each year since 1997.

Stephen Timms: In respect of water costs for all years and electricity costs for the years up to 2002–03, I refer the hon. Gentleman to the answers given by the then Financial Secretary (Ruth Kelly) to the hon. Member for North Norfolk (Norman Lamb) on 14 July 2004, Official Report, column 1134W. For the Treasury, the costs of electricity, gas, telephones (including mobile telephones) and television licences for 2002–03 and 2003–04 are given in the following table. It is not possible to disaggregate the cost of lighting from total electricity costs. Information in respect of the earlier years, and the cost of mobile telephones disaggregated from total telephone costs, could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		£000
		
			  2002–03 2003–04 
		
		
			 Electricity 288 260 
			 Gas 3 4 
			 Telephones, including mobile telephones 1,592 1,416 
			 Television licences 0.2 0.2

European Communities Medium Term Financial Assistance

John Hayes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what actions were funded in 2004 through European Communities' Medium Term Financial Assistance funds within the special reserve for borrowing and lending Activities.

Stephen Timms: In 2004, one action was carried out through the European Communities' Medium Term Financial Assistance funds: a loan disbursement of €10.0 million (£7.0 million 1 ) to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
	Details of the borrowing and lending activities conducted by the European Communities are published every six months in reports from the Commission on guarantees covered by the general budget. The reports are deposited in the Library of the House.
	1 Converted at the average annual rate for 2003 of £1=€1.4320

Illegal Drugs (Africa)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the quantity of illegal drugs (a) produced in Africa and (b) exported from Africa to Europe or the UK in each of the last five years; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: The detailed estimates requested are not held by this department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost. The broad position is that drug production in Africa is limited to cannabis cultivation. There is no evidence of any significant production of heroin or cocaine.
	Seizure patterns and intelligence indicate the increasing use of west Africa as a transit point for cocaine and heroin to Europe and the UK.

Income Policy

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what policies the Government are pursuing to increase household incomes in areas with the lowest household incomes.

Stephen Timms: Through the child and working tax credits and the pension credit the Government have significantly improved financial support for working age and pensioner households on low incomes. As a result of tax and benefit reforms since 1997, by April 2005:
	families with children in the poorest fifth of the population will be, on average, £3,000 a year better off; and
	the poorest 10 per cent. of pensioner households will be, on average, £2,170 a year better off
	The Government have also invested over £1.6 billion since 1997 in neighbourhood renewal programmes for the most deprived areas of the country, and has introduced employment programmes providing additional support for jobseekers in the poorest areas.

Income Tax (Nottingham)

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many taxpayers in the Nottingham, North constituency have benefited from the lower 10 per cent. starting rate of income tax.

Dawn Primarolo: All income taxpayers benefit from the 10 per cent. starting rate. Estimates of the number of taxpayers in each constituency within the UK will be published as National Statistics on the Inland Revenue website in February 2005.

Ministerial Engagements

John Gummer: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the ministerial engagements (a) out of London and (b) in London that he has cancelled since 1 January 2004.

Gordon Brown: Details of cancelled engagements are not retained centrally.

National Minimum Wage (Nottingham)

Graham Allen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people have benefited from the national minimum wage in the Nottingham, North constituency.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician, who has been asked to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Graham Allen, dated 25 January 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question asking how many people have benefited from the national minimum wage in Nottingham North Parliamentary Constituency. I am replying in his absence. (211011)
	Estimates for the number of jobs paid below the minimum wage for Parliamentary Constituencies are not available. However, the Office for National Statistics calculates estimates of the number of jobs paid less than national minimum wage rates for the United Kingdom and Government Office Regions. A guide to measuring low pay and associated articles and data can be found on the National Statistics website at: http://www.statistics.gov.uk/StatBase/Product.asp?vlnk=5837&Pos=l&ColRank=l&Rank=272

Savings Gateway

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the Savings Gateway pilot.

Stephen Timms: The last of the initial pilot Saving Gateway accounts matured in November last year and the evaluation team at the Personal Finance Research Centre at Bristol University are in the final phases of collecting the data and interpreting the evidence for their final report to HM Treasury.
	The interim evaluation, published on the HM Treasury website in October 2003, finds that matching can provide an important new dimension to Government support for saving. We will build upon this evidence-base in the new larger £15 million pilot which was announced in the 2004 pre-Budget report.

Tax Credits

Anthony Steen: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many complaints have been made about the tax credits system in each financial year since its inception, (a) via hon. Members and (b) direct from constituents; how many cases have been referred by hon. Members to the Inland Revenue for investigation; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 17 January 2005
	At the end of March 2004 6 million families were benefiting from tax credits and the Inland Revenue had received 32,000 written complaints in relation to tax credits. It is not possible to split this figure by those received via hon. Members and those received direct from constituents.
	All complaints made to hon. Members are referred to the Inland Revenue for investigation.

Tax Credits

Theresa May: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1) what the total expenditure on (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit was in each year that these schemes have been in operation;
	(2)  what proportion of the budget for (a) working tax credit and (b) child tax credit has been spent on administration in each year that each scheme has been in operation.

Dawn Primarolo: Child and working tax credits were introduced in April 2003.
	For the year ended 31 March 2004, the total expenditure on these tax credits, and the costs of managing and paying them, appear on pages 103–4 of the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts for that year.
	This can be found on the Inland Revenue website, at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/pdfs/report2004.pdf.

Tax Credits

Adam Price: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many people were overpaid (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit during 2003–04;
	(2)  how many families received (a) child tax credit and (b) working tax credit recovery notices during 2003–04.

Dawn Primarolo: For the number of tax credits overpayments, I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Members for Northavon (Mr. Webb) and for Yeovil (Mr. Laws) on 15 November 2004, Official Report, columns 946–48W.
	Overpayments of tax credits are established after the end of the tax year, when final income and circumstances for the previous year are known and the award can be finalised. Where an award of tax credits has ceased and there remains an overpayment to be recovered, the Inland Revenue issues claimants with a 'Notice to Pay'. A small number of these notices were issued to recover tax credits in 2003–04, where awards were terminated on the grounds of no entitlement. To the end of March 2004, around 3,000 had been issued.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  what the average amount of compensation for errors paid by the Inland Revenue to claimants of tax credits was between April 2003 and December 2004;
	(2)  how many of the compensation payments made for errors to tax credits claimants between April 2003 and December 2004, were for (a) £0-£25, (b) £25-£50, (c) £50-£100, (d) £100-£150, (e) £150-£200, (f) £250-£300, (g) £300-£350, (h) £350-£400, (i) £400-£450 and (j) £450-£500.

Dawn Primarolo: The circumstances in which the Inland Revenue will make compensation payments to its customers are explained In the Department's Code of Practice 1 Putting things right when we make mistakes" which is available at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk. The Department will pay compensation for reasonable costs incurred as a direct result of their mistakes or delays and to recognise worry and distress caused by those mistakes or delays.
	For the average amount of compensation authorised by the Inland Revenue to claimants of tax credits in 2003–04 I refer my right hon. Friend to paragraph 2.15 in the Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General attached to the Inland Revenue Annual Report and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2004.
	The average amount of compensation paid in the period 1 April to 31 December 2004 was £63.
	The detailed information sought by the right hon. Gentleman relating to compensation payments for errors between April 2003 and December 2004 is available only at disproportionate cost.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Mr. Fitzgerald and Ms Johnson of Rock Ferry, constituents of the right hon. Member for Birkenhead, will receive their tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: The Inland Revenue wrote to my right hon. Friend's constituents on 24 January 2005.

Terrorism

Keith Vaz: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what instructions his Department has given concerning the closure by the Royal Bank of Scotland of bank accounts used by terrorists.

Stephen Timms: HM Treasury has given no instructions to the Royal Bank of Scotland to close bank accounts used by terrorists.
	From time to time the Bank of England, on HM Treasury's instructions, directs all UK financial institutions to freeze funds (not close accounts) belonging to an individual or entity listed by the UN Security Council, associated EC Regulations or domestic legislation on countering terrorist finance. All organisations and individuals whose assets have been frozen in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions, associated EC Regulations and domestic legislation are listed, by HM Treasury instruction, on the Bank of England's Financial Sanctions website.

VAT (Trade Union Subscriptions)

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether VAT is charged on trade union membership subscription.

Dawn Primarolo: VAT is not charged on trade union membership subscriptions.
	Trade union" in VAT legislation has the meaning assigned to it by section 1 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992.

TRADE AND INDUSTRY

Correspondence

Andrew Turner: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she will reply to the letter from the honourable Member for the Isle of Wight dated 26 October 2004 concerning John Havies.

Mike O'Brien: The hon. Gentleman's letter was received on 29 October, unfortunately, due to an administrative error, it was overlooked for which I apologise. It has now become apparent that the hon. Gentleman's concerns are the responsibility of the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and his letter is being transferred to them with a request that they respond as soon as possible.

Home Workers

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when she plans to publish the results of her consultation on changes to the law on the rights of home workers.

Gerry Sutcliffe: We aim to issue a Government response to the consultation on the Discussion Document on Employment Status in relation to Statutory Employment Rights this year. This review has been considering the position of diverse groups of working individuals, including the clergy, agency workers and home workers.

Internet Shopping

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what estimate she has made of the number of purchases made on the internet in 2004 where the goods (a) never arrived and (b) were of inferior standard to those advertised.

Gerry Sutcliffe: I have no estimates of purchases made last year on the internet.
	Consumers are protected by the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 which stipulate that unless the parties have agreed otherwise, the supplier must deliver the goods within 30 days; and that if the goods are unavailable the consumer must be informed and reimbursed. Consumers purchasing goods over the value of £100 by credit card in the UK are protected by section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, if the seller fails to honour the contract consumers may claim costs from the credit card company.
	Also, advertising material on websites must not be misleading and goods supplied must be as described and of satisfactory quality. Trading Standards or the Office of Fair Trading can, where appropriate, take action against suppliers breaching these requirements.
	The Home Office launched a website to combat fraud over the internet. The 'e-tailing mini site' forms part of the Crime Reduction Website and includes information to help on-line consumers protect themselves from fraud.
	Government is also involved in the development of Project Endurance, an initiative that will launch an internet security public awareness campaign in spring this year. The project is an alliance of public and private sector, which brings together a number of UK Government Departments and law enforcement organisations with a number of high-profile private sector companies. This campaign is to be targeted at micro businesses and consumers, primarily aimed at helping these users gain confidence in using the internet.
	We will continue to monitor and review the effectiveness of these many different initiatives.

Subsidiary Companies

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans she has to ensure that United Kingdom registered companies apply operational standards in operating subsidiaries located abroad which are compatible with legislation on environmental and social protection that applies in the United Kingdom.

Patricia Hewitt: UK companies that operate overseas are subject to the laws applicable in those countries which will take account of the particular circumstances and practices of each host country. We encourage companies to apply high standards of corporate behaviour by addressing their environmental and social impacts wherever they operate, including adhering to relevant internationally agreed norms and initiatives. In line with this, we promote the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises which recommend standards of responsible business conduct for businesses operating in or from the 37 adhering countries and will be writing to the FTSE 100 companies to raise awareness of these expectations. We have also set out our approach to encouraging environmentally and socially responsible practice internationally in our draft international strategic framework on Corporate Social Responsibility.

CABINET OFFICE

Departmental Running Costs

George Osborne: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what the running costs of the Cabinet Office were in each year since 1997, broken down by (a) electricity, (b) water, (c) gas, (d) telephones, (e) mobile phones and (f) televisions.

David Miliband: It is not possible to provide information for all the Cabinet Office Estate for running costs since 1997 as these costs are not held centrally and are not separately identifiable on the Department's accounting system. It cannot therefore be readily retrieved without incurring disproportionate cost.

Ministerial Cars

Oliver Heald: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office which individuals other than Ministers have had the use of Government cars provided for ministerial use in each year since 2000.

David Miliband: holding answer 24 January 2005
	The responsibility for the provision of ministerial cars and drivers has been delegated under the terms of the Framework Document to the Government Car Despatch Agency. I have asked its Chief Executive Mr.Nick Matheson to write to the hon. Member. Copies of his letter will be placed in the Library.

Social Justice

Mike Hancock: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office what definition her Office uses of the term social justice in Cabinet Office documents.

David Miliband: As far as I am aware the Cabinet Office has not used the term social justice in any of its documents.

CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Immigration (Appeals)

Humfrey Malins: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what the average waiting time was for the determination of an application for permission to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, at the latest date for which figures are available.

Christopher Leslie: Latest provisional information taken from the IRIS database of the Immigration Appellate Authority indicates that applications for permission to appeal to the Immigration Appeal Tribunal, promulgated within the period 1 October 2004 to 31 December 2004, took an average time of 15.5 weeks to process from receipt to determination.

EDUCATION AND SKILLS

Council Tax

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the composition is of the monies being re-allocated from her Department to local authorities as part of the re-allocation from Government Departments to reduce the council tax in the next financial year.

Stephen Twigg: In his pre-Budget report on 2 December the Chancellor announced a total of more than £600 million in additional revenue support grant and specific formula grant over and above Spending Review plans for 2005–06, including the £100 million children's safeguarding grant to local authorities. It also included a further £25 million from general underspends within my Department's programmes.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students aged 16 to 18 years in receipt of an education maintenance allowance there are in each educational institution in Tower Hamlets.

Ivan Lewis: Information on the number of young people who have applied, enrolled and been paid EMA is available at local authority level. As at 14 January 2005 1,898 young people in the Tower Hamlets local education authority area had received an EMA payment.
	A table showing how many young people are receiving EMA in individual educational institutions in Tower Hamlets is as follows.
	
		
			  Region  LLSC  LEA  URN  Institute name Take up of EMA 
		
		
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100889 Out of School Provision PRU 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100965 Bow School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100966 Langdon Park Community School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100967 Morpeth School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100968 Mulberry School for Girls 327 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100969 Stepney Green School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100970 St. Paul's Way Community School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100971 Bethnal Green Technology College 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100972 Oaklands School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100973 Swanlea School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100974 George Green's School 117 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100975 Central Foundation Girls' School 190 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100976 The Blessed John Roche Roman Catholic School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100977 Sir John Cass Foundation and Redcoat Church of England  Secondary School 163 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100978 Bishop Challoner RC Collegiate School 80 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100979 Raine's Foundation School 76 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100982 Madni Secondary Girls' School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100985 Harpley School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100986 Bowden House School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100987 Phoenix School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 100989 Beatrice Tate School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 130418 Tower Hamlets College 918 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 131388 Jamiatul Ummah School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 131598 Ian Mikardo School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 131745 Madrasah-E-Darul Qirat Majidiah School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 132797 London Islamic School/Madrasah 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 133289 Bishop Challoner Collegiate Boys' School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 133307 Mazahirul Uloom School 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 133813 Queen Mary University of London 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 134154 Courtauld Institute of Art 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets 134810 London East Academy 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets NSI043 Ebrahim Community College 25 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets NSI072 Lifelong Learning Service (Tower Hamlets) 2 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets NSI110 Local Labour in Construction 0 
			 London London East Tower Hamlets NSI111 Robin Hood Training Centre 0 
			  1,898

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make it her policy to continue payment of education maintenance allowance to juveniles in custody aged 16 years and over.

Ivan Lewis: The payment of EMA to young people in detention was trialled in some pilot areas including Stoke-on-Trent. Experience from the pilots was used to inform the design of the national scheme.
	Under the national scheme EMA is not available to young people in custody aged 16 years and over. The reason is that EMA is an incentive to support young people with the costs of their learning, and for those in custody these costs are already met. Connexions services and other agencies promote EMA as part of a range of services and support to help young people leaving custody return to learning.

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students aged between 16 and 18 years resident in Stoke-on-Trent have been in receipt of education maintenance allowances in each of the last three years.

Ivan Lewis: The following list gives the number of students aged 16 to 18 years who were resident in Stoke-on-Trent and received an education maintenance allowance in each of the last three academic years when the pilot operated in this local education authority area.
	
		
			 Academic year Total number of 16 to 18-year-olds 
		
		
			 2001/02 2,738 
			 2002/03 2,623 
			 2003/04 2,716

Education Maintenance Allowance

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many students aged 16 to 18 years in each institution in Stoke-on-Trent were in receipt of education maintenance allowance in each of the past five years.

Ivan Lewis: The Department did not collect data about the number of students aged 16 to 18 in each institution in Stoke-on-Trent who were in receipt of education maintenance allowance during the pilot stage.
	We do collect this data for the national scheme whichbegan in September 2004. The list gives those institutions in the Stoke-on-Trent local education authority area, and the number of students in each who have received education maintenance allowance as part of the national scheme, as at 6 January 2005. The total figure excludes students who are resident in the Stoke-on-Trent LEA area but who study in institutions outside this LEA area.
	
		
			   School/College Scheme take up 
		
		
			 121460 St. Margaret Ward Catholic School and Arts  College 61 
			 124465 St. Thomas More Catholic College 51 
			 124500 Abbey Hill School and Performing Arts College 10 
			 124502 Heathfield Special School 3 
			 124503 Kemball Special School 7 
			 130815 Stoke-on-Trent College 1,109 
			 130817 City of Stoke-on-Trent 6th Form College 848 
			 131301 St. Joseph's College 45 
			 NS1010 MORE Training Ltd. 8 
			 Total  2,142

E-learning

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what groups are being consulted on whether e-learning credits are to be extended beyond 2005–06; and when a decision will be made.

Derek Twigg: Electronic learning credits are a valuable resource for schools that improve significantly access to, and stimulate the use of, high quality digital content for learning and teaching. £30 million was made available in 2002–03 and £100 million in each of 2003–04, 2004–05 and 2005–06. Since no commitment was made to continue funding beyond 2005–06 (as a specific ring-fenced allocation or otherwise) we are taking account of the views of head teachers, teachers, school governors, the Curriculum Online Content Advisory Board, Becta (the British Educational Technology and Communications Agency), the relevant trade associations as well as direct representations from the content developers and suppliers. Following consideration of these views and representations, a decision will be made as soon as possible as to whether and in what form funding for electronic learning credits might be extended.

Further Education

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the need for (a) level 1 and (b) level 2 further education courses in the London borough of Brent.

Ivan Lewis: The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) was established in 2001 to plan and fund post-16 education and training. This is therefore a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Independent Schools (Pre-registration)

Lorna Fitzsimons: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many independent schools there are in the pre-registration category; how many have had (a) one visit and (b) two allotted visits; and how many are faith schools, broken down by faith.

Derek Twigg: There are 148 provisionally registered schools in the transitional phase of registration. 123 have had one visit and 25 have had both of their allottedvisits. 76 are faith schools, 41 being Muslim, 30Christian Brethren, four Evangelical Christian and one Jewish.

Learning and Skills Councils

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will instruct learning and skills councils not to restrict the number of training providers contracting with them which offer courses leading to the same qualification.

Ivan Lewis: Contracting with training providers is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council and Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive will write to my hon. Friend and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.

Ministerial Engagements

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list her ministerial engagements out of London in February.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 24 January 2005
	The following is a list of the Secretary of State's planned ministerial engagements out of London in February 2005. These engagements are subject to change due to parliamentary commitments and final confirmation.
	
		
			 Date Venue 
		
		
			 2 February World Sustainable Community Summit in Manchester 
			 3 February Specialist Sports Colleges Conference in Telford 
			 21–22 February EU Education and Youth Council, Brussels 
			 23 February Visit to Caroline Chisholm School in Northampton

Parliamentary Questions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will reply to the question tabled by the hon. Member for Maidenhead on 18 December 2004, reference 204405.

Margaret Hodge: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 24 January 2005, Official Report, column 79W.

Parliamentary Questions

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when she will reply to the questionstabled by the hon. Member for Maidenhead on 21 December 2004, reference (a) 207312 and (b) 207313.

Margaret Hodge: My hon. Friend the Minister of State for School Standards has today replied to PQ207312. I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 24 January 2005, Official Report, columns 70–71W, for the reply to PQ 207313.

Post-16 Education

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the implications of the Tomlinson Report for the number of places needed in 16–19 education.

Ivan Lewis: The increased availability of personalised learning programmes to meet 14–19 year olds' needs, aptitudes and aspirations will raise participation and achievement in learning at 16–19. The Department's Five Year Strategy sets out our estimate that over the next five years we will need some 100,000 new 16–19 places, although the increase in demand will vary from place to place. That means we will need more school and college sixth forms and more apprenticeships and other vocational opportunities to give young people more choice.

Pupil Exclusions

Richard Spring: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have been permanently excluded from schools in (a) the West Suffolk parliamentary constituency and (b) the county of Suffolk in each year since 1997.

Derek Twigg: The available information is given in the table.
	Exclusions data for 2000/01, 2001/02 and 2002/03 are known to have been under-reported by some schools. The Department carried out a checking exercise, but this was at LEA level only. As a result this information is not available at parliamentary constituency level for the three most recent years.
	
		Maintained primary, secondary and all special schools(1)(5507270002): number and percentage of permanently excluded pupils 1997/98 to 2002/03
		
			  West Suffolk parliamentary constituency Suffolk LEA 
			  Number Percentage(3) Number Percentage(3) 
		
		
			 1997/98 18 0.14 129 0.13 
			 1998/99 16 0.13 124 0.12 
			 1999/2000 19 0.15 100 0.10 
			 2000/01 n/a n/a 147 0.14 
			 2001/02 n/a n/a 161 0.16 
			 2002/03 n/a n/a 150 0.15 
		
	
	n/a=Not available.
	(1)Includes middle schools as deemed.
	(2)Includes maintained and non-maintained special schools.
	(3)The number of permanent exclusions expressed as a percentage of the number (headcount) of pupils, excluding dually registered pupils.
	Source:
	Annual Schools Census

Pupil Numbers

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much of the increase in the number of places needed in 16 to 19-year-olds' education set out in her Department's five-year strategy is attributable to (a) increased participation rates and (b) the number of 16 to 19-year-olds in the period.

Ivan Lewis: We expect around 100,000 growth in the number of first time entrants in maintained schools and 16–18 FE between 2003/04 and 2008/09 as outlined in our five year strategy. We expect the 100,000 increase to be attributable to both demographic changes which account for 40 per cent. of the growth and policies to boost participation accounting for 60 per cent.

School Playing Fields

Hugh Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what plans she has to introduce a moratorium on the sale of school playing fields.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 24 January 2005
	We have no plans to introduce a moratorium on the sale of school playing fields. Section 77 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998 requires local authorities and schools to obtain the written consent of the Secretary of State before they can dispose of any part of a school's playing field. Applications to sell school playing fields are only approved where it is clear that they meet the needs of local schools and their communities and that any proceeds are used to improve school sports provision or educational facilities.

Secondary School Violence

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what steps her Department is taking to tackle violence in secondary schools.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 24 January 2005
	Although violence in schools is rare the Government takes the issue very seriously. We are determined to help schools create an environment that reduces the risk to an absolute minimum. To achieve that we have:
	given every secondary school access to high-quality behaviour management training materials and expert advice from behaviour management consultants;
	funded extra support for schools facing the greatest challenges through our Behaviour Improvement Programme;
	made it clear that head teachers may permanently exclude pupils for violence even where this is a first offence;
	provided £120 million for school security improvements since 1997;
	issued a School Police Protocol to help schools develop effective relationships with the police; and
	based over 300 police officers in schools.
	In addition we are:
	developing specific violence prevention materials through our Violence Reduction in Schools project;
	developing curriculum materials to help secondary schools develop pupils' social, emotional and behavioural skills; and
	consulting on new proposals on keeping knives out of schools, including searching suspect pupils.

Sixth Forms

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the average size is of (a) maintained school sixth forms and (b) sixth form colleges in each (i) local education authority and (ii)learning and skills council area.

Derek Twigg: The requested information relating to maintained school sixth forms has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
	The number of learners and size of sixth form colleges is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Member with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

Sixth Forms

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the retention rate for (a) maintained school sixth forms, (b) sixth form colleges and (c) other further education colleges was in each local education authority in the most recent period for which figures are available.

Ivan Lewis: Information on retention rates in maintained school sixth forms is not available. Retention rates in sixth form colleges and other further education colleges are a matter for the Learning and Skills Council. I have therefore asked Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

Sixth Forms

Mark Hoban: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the reasons for higher participation rates in full-time education and training of pupils from maintained schools with sixth forms.

Ivan Lewis: The report The Influence of the School in the decision to participate in learning post-16" indicated a number of reasons why the provision of a sixth form within a school might be an important influence on the decision of young people to participate in post-16 education and training:
	(i) Schools with sixth forms have a ready made post-16 route and pupils are more channelled in their choices and decisions." Such schools often actively promoting post-16 academic routes, compared to other forms of post-16 participation which were much less clearly promoted. In schools with no sixth form there was a greater element of choice and decisions were aimed more generally at providing students with opportunities that more adequately addressed their needs.
	(ii) Careers advice in schools with sixth forms was found to be qualitatively different from that in 11 to 16 schools." Pupils attending 11 to 16 schools were more positive about the careers education they had received and often exposed to a rich network of information, guidance and advice from diverse sources. Pupils in schools with sixth forms felt their advice and guidance to be less impartial than those in schools with no sixth form. Schools with sixth forms tended to have a strong academic tradition and a focus on university entrance, and an expectation that students would continue in full-time education post-16 which may not be the right decision for the young people concerned.
	(iii) There was a greater tendency in schools with a sixth form to provide post-16 advice and guidance which is more closely related to academic sixth form provision." Knowledge about post-16 provision in schools and colleges tended to be strongest among pupils in schools with sixth forms and weakest in schools with no sixth forms. The opposite was true about knowledge of post-16 training and labour markets.
	Other important influential issues of the school in the decision of young people to participate in learning post-16" were the socio-economic environment of the school, and the schools' culture, ethos and leadership.

School Dinners

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what recent discussions she has had with (a) the Secretary of State for Health and (b) others about the effects of partially hydrogenated oils (trans fats) in school dinners; and if she will make a statement.

Derek Twigg: The Secretary of State for Education and Skills has had no recent discussions with the Secretary of State for Health, or any others, on this issue.
	However, this Department works closely with the Food Standards Agency (FSA), who provide information to the public and Government on food safety, nutrition and diet. We have a formal agreement with FSA which requires them to inform us, without delay, of any information on food safety, nutrition and diet that requires us to take action.
	This Department together with the Department of Health, Department for Food, Environment and Rural Affairs and the FSA, have jointly provided £1.1 million that will be used over the next three years to improve school meals. We will be revising both primary and secondary school meal standards, to reduce the consumption of fat, as well as salt and sugar and increasing the consumption of fruit and vegetables.
	In our guidance, 'Healthy School Lunches', we advisethat monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats should be used wherever possible. www.dfes.gov.uk/schoollunches.

FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH AFFAIRS

Zimbabwe

Henry Bellingham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next expects to discuss with his EU colleagues the range of sanctions in place against Zimbabwe.

Chris Mullin: The EU's targeted measures against Zimbabwe run until 18 February 2005. We see no evidence that Zimbabwe has addressed the EU's concerns on human rights and democracy. We therefore believe that sanctions should remain in place, and are discussing this with EU partners now.

Iraq

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the level of violence in Iraq has risen since Christmas.

Douglas Alexander: Since Christmas we have seen a number of attacks designed to disrupt election operations. Both the Iraqi Independent Electoral Commission and the Iraqi Government have made clear their determination that the elections go ahead on time. The UK, with its allies in the Multi-National Force will continue to support the Iraqi authorities to that end.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how the openness of the Iraqi electoral process will be assured; who has overall responsibility for the process of the 30 January elections; who appointed them; what their qualifications are for the role; whether the names of would-be candidates who have not been allowed to stand will be disclosed; whether reasons will be given for their ineligibility; who will monitor the polls and undertake the count; who the returning officers will be; whether there will be independent monitoring of the elections; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: The Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) is responsible for planning, organising and supervising the electoral process. The IECI is headed by nine Commissioners. The Commissioners were nominated by the UN following a rigorous selection procedure and approved by Prime Minister Allawi. None of the commissioners had any direct experience of managing an electoral process with the exception of a non-voting commissioner. Carlos Valenzuela of the UN. Valenzuela has extensive experience of conducting elections in post-conflict environments.
	No prospective candidates were rejected by the IECI. The elections will be observed by national election monitors that have been trained by international organisations. In addition, an international mission to assess the elections is being organised by the Canadian Electoral Commission. The IECI is responsible for co-ordinating the return of ballot papers, the counting process and tabulation of results. The official result will be announced around 20 days after the election but a probable share of seats for the Transitional National Assembly will be announced within a week of the election.

Iraq

Harry Cohen: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements are in place to ensure that no non-Iraqis cast votes, or arrange for votes to be included in the poll count, in the Iraqi elections on 30 January; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: Only Iraqi citizens that appear on the electoral roll are eligible to vote. The electoral roll was compiled from the Public Distribution System used to allocate food rations. On polling day, voters will be checked against the voter register before being allowed to enter the polling station to cast their vote. Election monitors working for the Independent Electoral Commission of Iraq (IECI) will supervise polling stations.
	Iraqis living outside Iraq will also be able to cast their votes. The IECI asked the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to put in place arrangements for voting in 14 countries (including the UK). In order to register to vote, Iraqis will be required to provide evidence of their eligibility. Voters must have been born in Iraq or have a father who was born there. Arrangements for monitoring out of country voting are currently being developed by the IECI.

Iraq

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the merits of an independent inquiry into the number of (a) Iraqi military personnel and (b) Iraqi civilians killed or injured by the activities of coalition forces in Iraq since 19 March 2003; and if he will make a statement.

Bill Rammell: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary explained in his written statement to Parliament on 17 November 2004, Official Report, columns 92–95WS, we believe that the Iraqi authorities remain in the best position to record casualties in their country.
	An independent inquiry is highly unlikely to be able to gain better access and provide more accurate information on casualties than the Iraqi Government.

Iraq

Peter Kilfoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which period is covered by the Iraqi Ministry of Health data for casualties which the Government are using as their estimate of casualties.

Bill Rammell: The Iraqi Minister of Health released a statement on 29 October 2004 in which he quoted statistics covering the period of 5 April 2004 to 5 October 2004. These statistics, which are compiled by some 180 hospitals, show that 3,853 Iraqis were killed and 15,517 were injured during this period. We continue to believe that this is the most reliable data available.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the price in dollars of 20 litres of (a) kerosene and (b) petrol was in Baghdad in January (i) 2000 and (ii) 2005.

Bill Rammell: holding answer of 24 January 2005
	Official prices for kerosene and benzene (petrol) have not changed since 1999. Using an exchange rate of 1Iraqi Dinar (ID)=0.0008$ on 01 January 2000 and 1ID=0.00068$ on 01 January 2005, 20 litres of kerosene cost 16 cents in January 2000 and 14 cents in January 2005. 20 litres of benzene cost 32 cents in 2000 and 27 cents in 2005.

Electoral Information (British Citizens Abroad)

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Electoral Commission relating to the dissemination of information to British citizens living abroad who are entitled to vote in UK elections.

Chris Mullin: Officials from my department have been in regular communication with the Electoral Commission in support of their efforts to publicise information to British citizens living abroad who are entitled to vote in UK elections.

Middle East Peace Process

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policies are for taking forward the peace process in Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Bill Rammell: Our policy, as made clear during my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister's visit to Washington on 11–12 November, has been to support Palestinian presidential elections, the improvement of Palestinian infrastructure, and Prime Minister Sharon's disengagement plan. We remain committed to the road map. We are working to ensure that the London meeting on 1 March, which aims to support Palestinian institution building, contributes to progress on the road map.

Middle East Peace Process

Chris Bryant: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his French counterpart on the middle east peace process.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary spoke to French Foreign Minister Barnier on 15 January regarding the middle east peace process, specifically to discuss the London meeting on 1 March on strengthening the Palestinian Authority. The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Barnier agreed that the London conference should contribute to progress on the road map.

Kashmir

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of recent ministerial visits to Kashmir.

Douglas Alexander: During my recent visit to Pakistan, I did not visit Pakistan-administered Kashmir. However, I did discuss India/Pakistan relations and Kashmir with Prime Minister Aziz and Foreign Minister Kasuri. I assured them that the United Kingdom fully supported the ongoing dialogue between Pakistan and India. My right hon. Friend Mr. Blunkett and my hon. Friend Mr. O'Brien visited Pakistan-administered Kashmir in February 2004 and December 2003 respectively.

Afghanistan

Stephen Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the size of the poppy harvest in Afghanistan has been in each year since 2000.

Bill Rammell: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) conducts an annual survey into the level of opium poppy cultivation and production in Afghanistan. It has reported levels of cultivation and production since 1999 as follows:
	
		
			  Hectares Tonnes 
		
		
			 1999 91,000 4,600 
			 2000 82,000 3,300 
			 2001 8,000 185 
			 2002 74,000 3,400 
			 2003 80,000 3,600 
			 2004 131,000 4,200 
		
	
	The UNODC figures for 1999, 2000 and 2001 were recorded under the Taliban regime. The low level of cultivation and low production figure in 2001 reflect the Taliban ban on opium cultivation; the ban did not however address the underlying causes of poppy cultivation in Afghanistan, which was enforced with a mix of threat and bribery and drove up the price of opium, benefiting those with opium stockpiles.

Detained British Citizens

Kevin McNamara: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what guidance was issued to British consular staff and others visiting (a) Guantanamo Bay and (b) other places of detention overseas on measures to guard against allegations that they may have implicitly condoned torture and ill treatment or encouraged prisoners to make false confessions; and what plans he has to issue further guidance.

Chris Mullin: Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff visited the British nationals at Guantanamo Bay to check on their welfare. The staff concerned were aware of the importance of the human rights of the detainees and of the need to report information about this. The visits have been reported to Parliament, to the detainees' families and to Ministers.
	UK intelligence personnel also visited Guantanamo to interview detainees to gather information that might prove valuable in the protection of the UK and its citizens. These officials were also aware of the importance of the human rights of the detainees.
	In May 2004, the Permanent Under-Secretary of the FCO issued guidance to all staff on reporting torture or other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment. This guidance was then included in the FCO Human Rights Guidelines which are available to all staff on the FCO intranet.

Egypt

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Egypt regarding their response to the killing of Christians in El-Kosheh in January 2000.

Bill Rammell: The sectarian violence in El-Kosheh in January 2001, which left 20 Christians and one Muslim dead, was deeply concerning. We have followed the case closely and made our concerns known at the time, including visiting the area. We were initially encouraged that the Prosecutor-General persistently sought judicial review of early judgments in the case. However we are disappointed that, due to the Court of Cassation's ruling last year, the legal process is now at an end.
	We regularly raise human rights issues with the Egyptian authorities. Most recently we raised our concerns about the requirement to specify religious affiliation on identity cards, which is a concern for minority religious groups. In January 2005 we raised the individual cases of Heidi Salib, Wafaa Constantine and William Shaiboub.

Eritrea

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Government of Eritrea concerning the arrest of 60 members of the Ream Charismatic Church in Asmara.

Chris Mullin: We raise the issue of religious freedom with the Eritrean Government regularly. Our Charge" d'Affaires raised this case on 18 January and I raised the issue with President Isaias, in Asmara, during my visit there in January last year. We will continue to make clear our concern.

Geronimo Agency

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what penalty clauses have been included in his Department's contract with the Geronimo PR agency to be effective if the agency fails to achieve the required coverage for the EU and the proposed EU constitution.

Denis MacShane: The presence of penalty clauses is the same as for any other standard Central Office of Information contract in line with contracts issued by other Government Departments.

Geronimo Agency

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the names are of the employees of the Geronimo agency who (a) presented the company's proposal to the Department and (b) will work on his Department's account.

Denis MacShane: The release of the names of the individuals at Geronimo PR is a matter for that company.

Geronimo Agency

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will publish the contract between his Department and the Geronimo PR agency.

Denis MacShane: The contract between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Geronimo will follow the standard Central Office of Information framework agreement with all of their roster agencies. Further details are commercially sensitive.

Geronimo Agency

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list agencies which (a) tendered for and (b) were shortlisted for the contract to promote the EU and the proposed constitution.

Denis MacShane: (a) Geronimo PR, Grayling, Weber Shandwick and Harrison Cowley.
	(b) Geronimo PR, Grayling, Weber Shandwick and Harrison Cowley.

Guantanamo Bay

Diane Abbott: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has planned with US officials to discuss the status of British nationals held at Guantanamo Bay.

Chris Mullin: I refer my hon. Friend to the Statement my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave to the House on 11 January 2005, Official Report, columns 173–74.

Guantanamo Bay

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many UK residents with indefinite leave to remain in the UK are held at Guantanamo Bay; and what their names are.

Chris Mullin: We are aware of five. In accordance with our obligations under the Data Protection Act 1998, we are not in a position to give their names.

Guantanamo Bay

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations his Department has received concerning Guantanamo Bay prisoners who are residents with indefinite leave to remain in the UK.

Chris Mullin: We have received representations from some family members, lawyers, MPs and Peers on behalf of the five British residents at Guantanamo Bay that we should provide them with consular assistance.

India/Pakistan

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to facilitate and support talks between India and Pakistan about safeguarding against nuclear conflict.

Douglas Alexander: We warmly welcome the on-going dialogue between India and Pakistan on nuclear confidence-building measures as part of the composite dialogue process. We hope that both countries will work together to implement swiftly confidence-building measures, e.g pre-notification of missile tests, following their recent meeting on 14–15 December. We continue to discuss issues relating to nuclear non-proliferation with the governments of both countries.

Iran

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the Government's assessment of Iran's nuclear programme.

Denis MacShane: We continue to have serious concerns about Iran's nuclear programme. Together with the French and German Governments and representatives of the European Union, we are engaged in dialogue with the Iranian Government in order to resolve these concerns. The Government believe that, to restore confidence in the peaceful nature of Iran's nuclear programme, it is essential for Iran to agree, as part of this process, to cease permanently all enrichment-related and reprocessing activities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs published on 18 January a White Paper, Iran's nuclear programme: a collection of documents" which draws together public documents on Iran's nuclear programme since September 2002.

Iran

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the extent of persecution of Jehovah's Witnesses in Iran.

Bill Rammell: holding answer of 24 January 2005
	We have no specific information on the situation of Jehovah's Witnesses in Iran. We continue to receive reports of discrimination against members of Iran's religious minorities, including the surveillance, intimidation, and arrest of members of Iran's Christian communities. We have made clear to the Iranian authorities on many occasions that this is unacceptable, and have called upon them to permit Iranians of all faiths to practice their beliefs freely and without interference, in line with Iran's international obligations.

Jamaica

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many Jamaican citizens have been refused entry into the United Kingdom in each of the last three years.

Chris Mullin: From April 2002-March 2003 the visa section in Kingston received 10,185 applications and refused 2,736; a refusal rate of 26.9 per cent.
	Following the introduction of the requirement for all Jamaican nationals (including visitors) to have visas to enter the United Kingdom in January 2003, applications from April 2003-March 2004 went up to 26, 603 and 11,646 were refused; a refusal rate of 43.8 per cent.
	Figures on refusal rates for 2004–05 are not yet available. When they are, they will be posted on the UKvisas website at www.ukvisas.gov.uk. Further entry clearance statistics are available on the UKvisas website at Entry Clearance: Facts and Figures".

Jordan

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Government of Jordan regarding Mrs. Siham Qandah's custody of her children; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: This case remains sub judice within the Islamic Court system in Jordan. Through our embassy in Amman, we continue to follow the legal process and, where appropriate, draw the Jordanian authorities' attention to the strong concerns which the case has raised in the UK and elsewhere, both over the welfare of Mrs. Qandah and her children, and over the underlying principles involved.

Madagascar

Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  how the UK diplomatic presence in and relations with Madagascar will be maintained if the British embassy is closed;
	(2)  if he will appoint a one man diplomatic mission at Charge" d'Affaires level instead of the proposed nomination of an honorary Consul in place of the embassy in Madagascar.

Chris Mullin: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary explained in his written statement on 15 December 2004, Official Report, columns 137–40WS, we have decided to close our Embassy in Madagascar, while maintaining an honorary Consul in Antananarivo and non-resident accreditation from Port Louis. This reflects the need to better align our resources with our priorities, to maximise efficiency, and to ensure that the UK has a cost-effective and flexible network of overseas representation.

Palestinian Authority

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assistance the Government plans to provide the new Palestinian leadership to carry out internal reforms to strengthen security apparatus in order to tackle powerful warlords and corrupt officials, and establish law and order in Palestinian society.

Bill Rammell: We have been providing technical support and assistance to the Palestinian security services in order to help them to effectively tackle terrorism. The UK-supported Ramallah Central Operations Room in the West Bank has already had some success in foiling attacks against Israelis. The London meeting on 1 March is intended to support the new Palestinian leadership in preparing for disengagement and implementing the Roadmap. It therefore includes work to help the Palestinians strengthen their security apparatus, as well as facilitating reform in the fields of governance and the economy. We are committed to working with the Palestinians, our European partners, the US, Egypt and others in order to improve the infrastructure necessary for establishing a Palestinian state.

Proof of Death

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 
	(1)  which (a) Departments, (b) Ministers and (c) officials are involved in the review into the criteria necessary for proof of death abroad in exceptional circumstances following the Asian tsunami disaster;
	(2)  what progress has been made in reviewing the criteria necessary for proof of death abroad in exceptional circumstances following the Asian tsunami disaster;
	(3)  who will be consulted in the course of the review into the criteria necessary for proof of death abroad in exceptional circumstances following the Asian tsunami disaster;
	(4)  what timescale has been set for the review into the criteria necessary for proof of death abroad in exceptional circumstances following the Asian tsunami disaster.

Chris Mullin: holding answer of 24 January 2005
	Irefer the hon. Gentleman to the written statement my hon.Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Alexander) made on 24 January 2005, Official Report, columns 5–6WS.

South Africa

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of reports of xenophobia in South Africa aimed at refugees from Sudan; what discussions (a) he, (b) members of his Department and (c) representatives of the UK Government have made in regard to this issue to (i) members and (ii) representatives of the Government of South Africa; and if he will make a statement.

Chris Mullin: I am aware of a UN High Commission for Refugees report of 15 December describing the experiences of Sudanese refugees in South Africa. We have not discussed these with the South African authorities. But the South African Government is working to address the broad issue of xenophobia in South African society. The UK Government has a regular dialogue with the South African Government on human rights issues, and is engaged in project work in South Africa in this field.

Syria

David Cairns: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has made to the Government of Syria concerning support for Hezbollah and Hamas.

Bill Rammell: My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary raised these issues on 18 October 2004 with Syrian Foreign Minister Shara'a during the latter's visit to London.
	During this and other discussions with the Syrian Government, we urged Syria to use its influence with Hezbollah to refrain from the use of violence.
	We have also regularly raised with Syria the need to address the problems created by rejectionist groups such as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Trinidad and Tobago

Peter Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to review his Department's travel advice in relation to Trinidad and Tobago.

Bill Rammell: We keep all Travel Advice under constant review. At a minimum it is reviewed once a month and re-published every three months. The Travel Advice for Trinidad and Tobago was last reviewed on 19 January.

Tsunami Relief

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements were made by the Government to aid British passport holders in the wake of the Asian tsunami.

Chris Mullin: holding answer of 24 January
	As soon as the Government received news of the tsunami in the Indian ocean, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) activated its emergency plans for handling a major crisis overseas involving British nationals.
	On 26 December, the FCO established temporary offices working in all the affected areas to offer support and assistance to British nationals. Providing this support was the priority of all FCO posts in those areas. Our Embassy in Bangkok and our High Commission in Colombo were reinforced with consular staff from both London and other posts in the region. A rapid deployment team of 18 was sent to Colombo. There are currently 45 staff in Bangkok and 32 in Phuket providing consular assistance.
	In the immediate aftermath of the event, FCO staff provided those British nationals in the affected areas with the full range of consular support including helping them to access medical facilities, issuing emergency travel documents and registering missing persons. An FCO charter flight brought 98 passengers back from Thailand on 1 January.
	The Government also ensured that there were full reception arrangements at airports for people returning to the UK. This included tailored medical attention where necessary, assistance with getting home and access to psychological and emotional support services. The British Red Cross also established a Help Line for victims of the disaster and their family and a family support network for those affected.
	FCO officials and UK police personnel are now working with the families of the victims to repatriate remains where appropriate and to help the injured get home. There are 84 UK police personnel in the affected areas helping to identify people as quickly as possible. Police family liaison officers have been assigned to bereaved families. There are currently over 300 liaison officers assigned to families. The FCO has put together a package of financial and other assistance to those affected by the tsunami. This package includes meeting the cost of repatriating remains; immediate medical expenses for those seriously injured; medical evacuation; long-term psychological support; and return travel for two members of the victim's family to the region and five nights accommodation.

Ukraine

Gordon Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with the Governments of Estonia and Latvia about the political situation in Ukraine.

Denis MacShane: My right hon. Friend, the Foreign Secretary and I have discussed Ukraine regularly with Estonian, Latvian and other EU partners over the last few months, most recently at the 13 December General Affairs and External Relations Council. I will be having further talks in Poland and Lithuania this week. Ukraine is also on the agenda for the next General Affairs and External Relations Council on 31 January.

West Papua

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps the Government are taking to seek to facilitate dialogue between the Indonesian Government and the Papuan people to find a peaceful resolution to the West Papua conflict.

Douglas Alexander: We have consistently made clear to the Indonesian Government our support for full implementation of the 2001 Special Autonomy Law. We believe this takes into account the aspirations of the Papuan people and respects Indonesia's territorial integrity. The new Government of President Yudhoyono has publicly committed itself to taking steps to implement this Law. We welcome this.

West Papua

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions have taken place with the United Nations regarding the possibility of sending UN observers to monitor the human rights situation in West Papua.

Douglas Alexander: We are not aware of any discussions held with the UN to send Human Rights observers to Papua. We have followed the situation in Papua closely, and continue to make clear to the Indonesian Government our support for full implementation of the 2001 Special Autonomy Law.

LEADER OF THE HOUSE

Committees of the House

Greg Knight: To ask the Leader of the House if he will bring forward proposals to merge the Modernisation of the House of Commons and Procedure Committees.

Peter Hain: Decisions about the appointment of select committees are taken at the start of a new Parliament. The re-establishment of the Modernisation Committee would, of course, be subject to the approval of the House, as would any proposal to change the Procedure Committee's terms of reference.

DEFENCE

Aircraft Carriers

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place in the Library a copy of the Memorandum of Understanding on the role of the Physical Integrator as part of the Future Aircraft Carrier project.

Adam Ingram: There is no such Memorandum of Understanding. The role of the Physical Integrator (PI) on the Future Aircraft Carrier project will be developed and agreed between Alliance members during the remainder of the assessment phase.

Army Training Ground, Otterburn

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many people have been (a) killed and (b) injured as a result of accidents during exercises at the Army Training Ground at Otterburn in each of the last 10 years.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 17 January 2005
	Since 1 January 2000 no service or civilian personnel have been killed and six service personnel have been injured as a result of accidents during exercises at the Army Training Ground at Otterburn. Information regarding deaths and injuries at Otterburn before 2000 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Competitive Tenders

John Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much work was put out to competitive tender (a) RAF Cottesmore and (b) RAF Marham in (i) 2003 and (ii) 2004.

Adam Ingram: None. This excludes contracts awarded in support of station services.

Departmental Efficiency Programme

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned headcount changes attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Army Base Repair Organisation, (b) Defence Aviation Repair Agency, (c) Defence Science and Technology Laboratories, (d) Meteorological Office and (e) UK Hydrographic Office for financial years (i)2005–06, (ii) 2006–07 and (iii) 2007–08.

Adam Ingram: The published headcount reductions for the Ministry of Defence Efficiency Programme does not include headcount changes for these agencies.

Departmental Efficiency Programme

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the planned cashable savings attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Defence Medical Training Agency, (b) Defence Procurement Agency, (c) Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, (d) Defence Transport and Movements Agency and (e) Defence Vetting Agency in financial years (i) 2006–07 and (ii) 2007–08.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence Efficiency Programme brings together those activities which have resulted from strategic level judgements on the modernisation we needed in order to better meet future operational and business needs. Its benefits are tracked principally on a functional basis (e.g. Human Resources, Finance, etc.) rather than at individual budget areas. Further information on the MOD Efficiency Programme and how it will be delivered is contained in the MOD Efficiency Technical Note which was published on 30 October and can be found on the Departmental website at http://www.mod.uk/issues/finance/efficiency.htm.

Eurofighter Typhoon

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what (a) costs and (b) penalties would arise from a decision to cancel Tranche 2 of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 24 January 2005
	Under the international collaborative production arrangements for Typhoon, manufacturing work has been allocated between partner nations in proportion to their respective numerical requirements for the aircraft. Cancellation of the United Kingdom's Tranche 2 order would necessitate re-allocation of workshare to partner nations in order to re-balance these proportions and the UK would be required to compensate the other nations for the extra costs incurred, up to the total amount the UK would have paid had we not cancelled the order.
	In addition to these costs, the cancellation of Tranche2 would result in a failure to equip the Royal Air Force with a key element of its future fighting capability, a significant loss of UK manufacturing and an associated loss of jobs and skills across the

European Rapid Reaction Force

Gerald Howarth: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he expects the UK contribution to the European Rapid Reaction Force to be future rapid effect system equipped when that vehicle family enters service.

Adam Ingram: There is no standing European Rapid Reaction Force nor any EU agreement to create one. What has sometimes been referred to as a European Rapid Reaction Force" is, in fact, a catalogue of forces which member states could make available to the EU should they choose to participate in a particular EU-led operation. Any contribution to a particular EU-led operation would depend on the operation's requirements and the availability of forces at the time.
	One of the purposes of FRES is to improve the ability of United Kingdom forces to achieve rapid effect by providing a highly capable but rapidly deployable family of vehicles as the central pillar of the Medium Weight Force. Therefore, it is likely that the UK may, in the future, offer FRES equipped forces as part of the EU catalogue".

Gibraltar Police

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on what occasions in (a) the joint negotiating machinery between his Department and the Gibraltar Service Police Association and (b) other forum his Department formally raised its intention to deduct moneys from police officers' pay in relation to rent and other allowances; and if he will place a copy of the minutes relating to such discussions in the Library.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 20 January 2005
	Officials in Gibraltar wrote to the Chairman of the GSPSA in February 2004 setting out in detail the rationale of the Department's position and explaining that recovery action would only be taken for the last 12 months overpayment. The subject was discussed again at the GSPSA Whitley meeting in May 2004. In June 2004 Officials wrote to each individual affected by the overpayment explaining that recovery action would be taken. A subsequent letter was sent in November 2004 as a result of a recalculation, reconfirming the intent to deduct monies owed. I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave on 20 October 2004, Official Report, column 711W, whereby a copy of the minutes of the GSPSA Whitley Committee meetings were placed in the Library of the House.

Gibraltar Police

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will place a moratorium on the deduction of Gibraltar Service Police salaries until discussions between the Gibraltar Service Police Association and the Association's solicitor have been concluded; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 19 January 2005
	No. The Gibraltar Services Police Association has been aware of the Department's intention to recover the overpayment of rent allowance since June 2003.

Iraq

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence ifhe will make a statement on the free post service to Iraq.

Adam Ingram: There are no plans to change the current entitlement to free aerogramme letters (blueys) or their electronic version (eblueys) to service personnel deployed on operations.
	In respect of the free postal packet scheme to Iraq which ceased on 8 April 2004, there are no plans to permanently re-instate this service. I refer my hon. Friend to my written ministerial statement of 27 February 2004, Official Report, column 70WS, and subsequent answers of 5 March 2004, Official Report, column 1155W, to the hon. Member for Portsmouth, South (Mr. Hancock), 1 April 2004, Official Report, column 1605W, to the hon. Member for Mid-Norfolk (Mr. Simpson), 5 May 2004, Official Report, column1527W, to the hon. Member for Uxbridge (Mr.Randall), 15 June 2004, Official Report, column 811W, to my hon. Friend the Member for Burnley (Mr. Pike), 1 September 2004, Official Report, column 713W and 4 October 2004, Official Report, column 1882W to my hon. Friend the Member for Bately and Spen (Mr. Wood).
	However, on 3 November 2004 when the Prime Minister announced the temporary reinstatement of the free postal packet scheme for a limited period at Christmas, he did promise a review after the scheme finished (15 December 2004), 3 November 2004, Official Report, column 304.
	A formal review cannot be carried out until the detailed costs of the scheme have been captured from the Royal Mail Group, Defence Logistic Agency and British Forces Post Office. This is unlikely to happen before February 2005. However, I can inform the House that over the period 17 November-15 December 2004 when the scheme was in place approximately 112,000 Kg of packets were successfully processed by the British Forces Post Office Depot at Mill Hill so that they would reach service personnel deployed worldwide in time for Christmas.

Iraq

Tam Dalyell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many UK service men have been repatriated from service in Iraq since 1 October 2004 because of injury, broken down by type of injury suffered.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 24 January 2005
	Since 1 October 2004, 82 United Kingdom Service personnel have been evacuated from Iraq as a result of injury. 23 of those injuries are believed to be the result of hostile action. 59 are the result of accidents or other incidents.

Iraq

Patrick Mercer: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which area of responsibility will be allocated to 1st Battalion Royal Highland Fusiliers once they are operational in Iraq.

Adam Ingram: holding answer 24 January 2005
	The 1st Battalion The Royal Highland Fusiliers (Princess Margaret's Own Glasgow and Ayrshire Regiment) will, once operational, be used to relieve acclimatised theatre troops from static guarding and security tasks at a variety of locations.

Ministerial Visits

Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence on how many occasions he has visited (a) The Black Watch, (b) The Royal Scots, (c) The Highlanders, (d) The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders, (e) The King's Own Scottish Borderers and (f) The Royal Highland Fusiliers regiments; and where each visit took place.

Adam Ingram: I refer the hon. Member to the answer Igave my hon. Friend the Member for Dumfries (Mr. Brown) on 20 December 2004, Official Report, column 1374W.

Parliamentary Questions

Vincent Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what target his Department sets for the maximum acceptable time to respond in full to a parliamentary question; and what percentage of answers given by his Department failed to meet this target in each parliamentary session from 1997–98 to 2003–04.

Ivor Caplin: Defence Ministers aim to ensure that Members receive a substantive response to their named day question on the day named and endeavour to answer ordinary written questions within a working week of being tabled. Unfortunately this is not always possible, but the Department makes every effort to achieve these timescales.
	Information relating to the percentage of answers that failed to meet this target in each parliamentary session from 1997–98 to 2003–04 is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Second World War Anniversary

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans the Government have to commemorate on 10 July the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War; and if he will make a statement.

Ivor Caplin: The events in London on 10 July will begin with a Service of Thanksgiving and Commemoration in Westminster Abbey. This will be followed by a lunch for veterans in the grounds of Buckingham Palace hosted by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.
	In the afternoon, an event of reminiscence and remembrance will take place on Horse Guards Parade, this will begin with a unique evocation of the period, using entertainment to take veterans back in time. There will then be a period of remembrance encompassing a two minute silence.
	The Queen will watch a fly-past of vintage Second World War aircraft from the Palace Balcony. A poppy drop from a Lancaster Bomber will bring the day to a close.

Telephone Numbers

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers are in use by his Department; and what services can be accessed by calling each of them.

Ivor Caplin: The use of non-geographical 0870 numbers in the Department is determined at the local level in accordance with individual business requirements. Records of non-geographic 0870 numbers and details of services accessed through them are not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Telephone Numbers

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Defencehow much revenue his Department has received from the use of non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers for the period 1 October 2003 to 30 September 2004.

Ivor Caplin: This information is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Travel Costs

Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the total travel costs to his Department have been for (a) Ministers, (b) special advisers and (c) officials for each year since 1997.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 9 December 2004
	Since 1999, the Government publishes on an annual basis, the total costs of all ministerial overseas travel and a list of all visits by Cabinet Ministers costing in excess of £500. Copies of the lists are available in the Library of the House. The travel costs for those special advisers who accompanied their Minister is included in the annual list on Overseas Travel by Cabinet Ministers. Details on the cost of domestic travel for Ministers and special advisers is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	All travel is undertaken in accordance with the guidelines set out in the Ministerial Code and the Civil Service Management Code.

Tsunami (Military Assistance)

Edward Davey: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what military (a) assistance and (b) aid the UK has provided to each country following the tsunami disaster; what plans he has made for further military (i)assistance and (ii) aid to each country; and if he will make a statement.

Adam Ingram: The following military assets were assigned to assist in the relief operation in the Indian ocean.
	The frigate HMS Chatham (which carries two Lynx helicopters) was redirected to the area on 30 December, arriving on 3 January; and the support ship RFA Diligence, already in the region, joined Chatham off Sri Lanka on 5 January. These vessels have undertaken a number of relief tasks, including assistance to the town of Baticoloa in the east of Sri Lanka, and provision of engineers to the Maldives to assist with refurbishment of generators and desalination equipment. Chatham and Diligence have worked closely with an Observation, Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (OLRT) which deployed to Colombo on 31 December, part of which also deployed to the Maldives on 6 January. Both Chatham and Diligence, as well as the OLRT, have now completed their tasking and are leaving the area.
	Of the five C-130 aircraft made available to support DFID, two have been used so far: one to move aid supplies between Norway and Denmark, and one to transport equipment to Sri Lanka. The larger C-17 aircraft has been used across the affected region. The Tristar has been used to bring tents and fuel into Penang for onward transport into the affected areas.
	A further OLRT deployed to Indonesia on 2 January, including to the Aceh region. MOD liaison officers have been deployed with the US, Australian and Indonesian military headquarters in the region.
	Two Bell 212 helicopters from the Gurkha Garrison in Brunei are currently conducting recce, humanitarian assistance and liaison tasks with the Australian forces in the Aceh region.
	Further, small, deployments of niche capabilities such as logistics planners and engineers have also taken place in response to DfID and OLRT requests.
	The MOD continues to work closely with DFID to determine the requirement for military assistance over the coming period.

Wounded British Soldiers

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which facilities wounded British soldiers are being treated in the UK.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 24 January 2005
	When casualties are aeromedically evacuated to the United Kingdom, the decision as to which hospital they should be treated is made in conjunction with the Department of Health (DoH) on the basis of clinical need and bed availability. However the majority are treated at Selly Oak hospital in Birmingham.
	Those requiring specialist treatment will be referred to the most appropriate facility for their needs.

HOUSE OF COMMONS COMMISSION

Bottled Water

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission 
	(1)  how many bottles of water were purchased by Departments of the House last year for consumption other than in restaurants and cafeterias; and what the cost was;
	(2)  if the Commission will make it their policy to replace bottled water with tap water in (a) Westminster Hall, (b) committee rooms and (c) other meeting rooms.

Archy Kirkwood: Prior to 1994, the SAA Department provided tap water for Committee and meeting rooms. A trial was conducted in that year in response to requests from Members who frequently found the tap water stale and undrinkable. It was found that the use of bottled water was significantly more convenient and required fewer staff, as well as being more hygienic and better tasting. Subsequent experience with operating this system has confirmed these benefits. They are particularly valuable given the increase in the number of committee rooms following the opening of Portcullis House and the earlier sittings of committees under the revised sitting hours. For these reasons there are no plans to return to the previous arrangements.
	During financial year 2003–04 the SAA Department spent £11,530 on water for Westminster Hall, committee and other meeting rooms, equating to approximately 25,000 bottles.

Catering (Food Waste)

Norman Baker: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the policy is on the disposal of (a) untouched food left over from receptions in the House and (b) residuary food waste from catering outlets.

Archy Kirkwood: The House of Commons Refreshment Department is required to take all reasonable precautions and exercise due diligence to ensure that their premises and working practices comply with the provisions of the Food Safety Act 1990 and associated regulations. Its food disposal policy is designed to meet these legal obligations and to take all possible precautions against the risk of causing food poisoning to any person consuming food prepared by or sold by the Refreshment Department.
	The policy on the disposal of food left over from receptions is that same as the policy on the disposal of left-over foods from its catering outlets. Fresh-cooked foods that have retained a core temperature of 65oC or above while on display are chilled rapidly and are then either held chilled or frozen for re-use. Hot foods that have fallen below this safe temperature, or that have been re-heated, are disposed of with the general refuse. Chilled foods that have been maintained at a temperature of 8oC or below are retained and re-offered for sale provided that they are within any use-by" date stamp. Foods which have exceeded 8oC are also disposed of with the general waste.
	Although the Department makes every effort to re-use foods that are still safe to consume, there are some occasions on which this is not possible. From time to time, the Department has contacted charities assisting the homeless to discuss the possibility of donating left-over food. Such inquiries to-date have been unsuccessful for two principal reasons: the charities (as part of their own due diligence procedures required under the food hygiene legislation) are unwilling to accept foods that have been prepared in our own kitchens; and, the charities have been unable or unwilling to make collection arrangements for any packaged foods because of the infrequency and relatively low quantity of such food being available to them.

INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Coal Mines

Alan Whitehead: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  whether the extinguishing of burning coal mines falls within the scope of the clean development mechanisms introduced by the Kyoto Protocol;
	(2)  what assistance his Department has provided to developing countries seeking to extinguish burning coal mines.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol established the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The purpose of the CDM is to enable developed countries and economies in transition (more precisely, those countries that are included in Annex I to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change) to meet their greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets (5 per cent. compared to 1990 levels by the period 2008–12) at lowest possible cost by undertaking projects in developing countries. To be eligible under the CDM, projects must also assist in the achievement of sustainable development, and contribute to the attainment of the environmental goals of the Framework Convention.
	To fall within the scope of the CDM, any project proposal to extinguish burning coal mines would need to meet these three criteria. It would further need to be shown that the resulting emissions reductions were additional" (i.e. going beyond what would have happened in the absence of the project) and calculated in accordance with an approved CDM methodology. To date, the Department for International Development (DFID) has not received any requests from developing countries to provide assistance to extinguish coal mine fires. We would encourage any country seeking international support to consider using the CDM.

Commission for Africa

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will publish the minutes of meetings of the Commission for Africa.

Hilary Benn: Reports of the two Commission meetings which have taken place are available on the Commission for Africa website. www.commissionforafrica.org.

Commission for Africa

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State forInternational Development on what date he expects the report of the Commission for Africa to be published.

Hilary Benn: The members of the Commission for Africa are still working on their report and have not yet set a date for publication. Subject to discussion at the next full meeting of the Commission in February, the report may be published around the middle of March.

Debt Relief

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his budget is for spending on heavily indebted poor countries debt relief in (a) 2005–06, (b) 2006–07 and (c) 2007–08 from (i)existing departmental spending plans and (ii) sources additional to those plans.

Hilary Benn: DFID's contribution to HIPC debt relief covers the UK pledge to the HIPC Trust Fund and the UK's policy of going beyond the requirements of HIPC to cancel 100 per cent. of all bilateral debts to HIPC countries. The vast majority of HIPC debt write-off is financed by the Export Credits Guarantee Department (ECGD).
	For the HIPC Trust Fund, DFID has budgeted £29 million in 2005–06, £20 million in 2006–07 and £20 million in 2007–08.
	It is not possible to predict accurately how much the 100 per cent. bilateral policy will cost DFID because the amount that will be cancelled under HIPC requirements (financed by ECGD) is not yet known. DFID has provisionally budgeted £14 million in 2005–06, £25 million in 2006–07 and £10 million in 2007–08.
	In addition, many HIPC countries will benefit from the UK's new multilateral debt relief initiative. The total DFID budget for this initiative is £30 million in 2005–06, £40 million in 2006–07 and £50 million in 2007–08. HIPC countries account for approximately 70 per cent. of the total cost.
	DFID has no budgets additional to DFID's existing spending plans.

Departmental Employees

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of his Department's employees in each country in receipt of development aid from the UK were of (a) UK nationality, (b) local origin and (c) other origin in the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Details of DFID current staff shown by local origin and by UK and other nationality are set out in the following table. We are unable to provide figures for UK nationality as a separate category as such data is provided by staff on a voluntary basis and thus any figures may not be completely accurate.
	
		
			 Country Number of UK based staff Number of staff of local origin Total 
		
		
			 Afghanistan 10 7 17 
			 Angola 1 1 2 
			 Bangladesh 27 131 158 
			 Barbados 8 17 25 
			 Bolivia 2 12 14 
			 Botswana 1 0 1 
			 Brazil 6 9 15 
			 Bulgaria 1 0 1 
			 Burundi 1 2 3 
			 Cambodia 6 5 11 
			 China 21 22 43 
			 Congo—Democratic Republic 8 10 18 
			 Costa Rica 1 0 1 
			 Ethiopia 15 40 55 
			 Gambia 1 0 1 
			 Ghana 14 36 50 
			 Guyana 5 3 8 
			 Honduras 1 5 6 
			 India 24 117 141 
			 Indonesia 6 3 9 
			 Iraq 9 0 9 
			 Jamaica 3 0 3 
			 Jerusalem—West Bank 4 3 7 
			 Kazakhstan 1 0 1 
			 Kenya 11 36 47 
			 Kosovo 0 13 13 
			 Kyrgyzstan 1 3 4 
			 Lesotho 2 0 2 
			 Malawi 22 53 75 
			 Moldova 0 3 3 
			 Montserrat 6 4 10 
			 Mozambique 11 17 28 
			 Myanmar 1 0 1 
			 Nepal 18 63 81 
			 Nicaragua 3 12 15 
			 Nigeria 23 62 85 
			 Pakistan 10 21 31 
			 Peru 2 4 6 
			 Romania 1 0 1 
			 Russian Federation 4 10 14 
			 Rwanda 11 22 33 
			 Serbia and Montenegro 2 4 6 
			 Sierra Leone 11 0 11 
			 South Africa 24 44 68 
			 Sri Lanka 5 5 10 
			 St Helena 8 0 8 
			 Sudan 6 0 6 
			 Tanzania 15 30 45 
			 Thailand 15 17 32 
			 Turks and Caicos Islands 5 0 5 
			 Uganda 20 35 55 
			 Ukraine 2 8 10 
			 Vietnam 13 20 33 
			 Windward Islands 1 0 1 
			 Yemen 1 1 2 
			 Zambia 14 23 37 
			 Zimbabwe 8 19 27 
			 Grand total 452 952 1,404

Iraq

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what progress has been made in determining the details of the system replacing food rations with cash payments in Iraq; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The Government of Iraq has said that it is committed over the medium term, to enhancing the effectiveness of social safety nets in Iraq by moving from a food ration system, which handed out virtually free food to the entire population of Iraq, to a cash distribution system targeted at the poor and unemployed. The aim will be to help domestic agriculture, encourage private trade and remove price distortions, at the same time as ensuring that families in need are properly safeguarded. The details have yet to be determined, and are expected to be followed up by the Iraqi Transitional Government after the forthcoming elections. DFID supports the reform in principle. DFID staff and advisers will continue to maintain contact with the Iraqi authorities, and with interested international organisations including the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank and the World Food Programme, to ensure that the interests of poor and vulnerable families in Iraq are protected.

Mauritania

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the impact on (a) food supplies and (b) the economic situation of individuals in southern Mauritania of the locust invasion of 2004; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the (a) economic, (b) social and (c) humanitarian situation in (i) Mauritania and (ii) southern Mauritania with reference to (A) the recurrent drought since 2001 and (B) the 2004 locust invasion; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: Mauritania is poor and often short of its food staples. A high proportion of the population relies on agricultural production to satisfy its food and income needs. During prolonged drought, communities may go hungry through poor yields or lack of recourse to alternative sources of income. In 2004 Mauritania was badly affected by the worst invasion of locusts in West Africa for 15 years. Millet and legumes suffered serious damage; sorghum and rice were less affected. Access to food is already posing problems for many households, both rural and urban, which are directly or indirectly affected by the crisis. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that 2004 production will only amount to 64 per cent. of the 5-year average. More food imports, including food aid, may be required. DFID stands ready to contribute to urgent humanitarian needs in Mauritania, and other countries in West Africa.
	DFID provided £1.5 million to the FAO's emergency international appeal for locust control and eradication operations in West Africa in 2004. UK funding assisted the immediate emergency control of swarms until December 2004. The European Commission is providing €23.5 million (£16.33 million, UK share about £3 million) to assist those countries worst affected. The FAO operations may need to be continued in northern Mauritania to counter remaining immature swarms gathered there, and also in the Mahgreb countries until the spring, to reduce the scale of potential re-infestation of the Sahel in summer 2005.
	In 2002–03 DFID contributed £1 million to the World Food Programme's regional appeal, which covered five countries in the region, but was mainly focused on Mauritania where the drought situation was most severe. DFID also contributed £0.5 million to an Oxfam appeal focused on the most badly affected areas in the south of the country.

Mauritania

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development 
	(1)  what assessment his Department has made of the UN World Food Programme appeal on 17 January for assistance to Mauritania over the next three years; what plans his Department has made to respond to the appeal; what changes are planned for the budget to be allocated to Mauritania; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the food-for-work projects envisaged by the UN World Food Progamme for the distribution of food aid in Mauritania; and if he will make a statement.

Hilary Benn: The UN World Food Programme (WFP) appeal for US$30.8 million for Mauritania issued on 17 January aims to provide food aid to 400,000 people in 33 of the most vulnerable communities until 2007. About 60 per cent. of the proposal is for creation of productive assets through food for work activities, the construction of small dams, and improving village water supplies. These activities may be useful, but DFID believes that the sustained developmental impact of food aid is limited. DFID stands ready to contribute to urgent humanitarian needs in Mauritania, and other countries in West Africa.
	DFID does not have a bilateral development partnership with Mauritania, but does provide a significant amount through multilateral channels, mainly the EC programme, of which the UK share amounted to some £6 million in 2003. We have also provided humanitarian assistance in recent years in response to the severe drought and food shortages.

Millennium Development Goals

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what proportion of UK aid channelled through the EU was spent in each of the last five years on schemes designed to achieve the millennium development goals.

Hilary Benn: The European Commission (EC) does not collate and publish data linking expenditure to specific activities in support of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). However, in 2003, the EC adopted performance indicators based on the MDGs to measure progress in partner countries in receipt of EC development assistance.
	In October 2004, the European Commission issued a report on the EC contribution to attaining the MDGs 2000–04. This report will inform the UN 2005 Millennium Review Summit in September 2005. The report does not make an attempt to attribute directly EC funds to MDG objectives, but does stress the importance that the EC gives to the MDGs and outlines further actions currently foreseen to promote their implementation.
	The report appears on the Commission's website: http://www.europa.eu.int.comm/development/body/publications/desript/pub7_2_en.cfm.

Secondments

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will list the people working within his Department on secondment from the private sector, broken down by (a) the organisation or industry they came from and (b) the policy responsibilities they have been given.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: On 1 January 2005, the Department for International Development (DFID) had two people on secondment from the private sector, as follows:
	1. Jeff Delmon, seconded from Allen and Overy, working in the Water, Energy and Minerals team on using finance and private sector investment to meet the needs of the poor in water and sanitation.
	2. Charles Lutyens, seconded from Rio Tinto plc, working in the International Financial Institutions Department on private sector policy issues.

St. Helena

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the availability of fresh water on the island of St.Helena.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: A period of very dry weather led to increased demand on fresh water supplies in St.Helena during the recent holiday period. Within an area that is supplied by the Hutts Gate water reticulation system, this created a water shortage. Water bowsers were introduced for one day only, and a hosepipe ban was imposed in the area on 5 January 2005. Supplies are now sufficient to cope with demand. Water use restrictions have not been required in other areas of St. Helena.

St. Helena

Nigel Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to make a decision on air access for the island of St. Helena; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: Options to maintain future access for St. Helena are under consideration.
	Decisions will be taken, in consultation with the St.Helena Government, as soon as it is possible to do so.

Sudan

Norman Lamb: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much departmental funding is being spent in Sudan on the road verification contract implemented by the South African commercial company Mechem; how many mines have been found by (a) vehicle mounted detection systems, (b) dogs and (c) manual deminers working for Mechem; what width of either side of the centre line of the road is being cleared in accordance with the Mechem contract; and what width either side of the centre line of the road is required for the development agency GTZ to rebuild the road to the specifications recommended by the UN World Food Programme.

Hilary Benn: The total amount of DFID funding allocated to the MECHEM road clearance contract to date is £1 million.
	58 anti-tank mines and 169 items of Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) have been found by the system, which comprises a combination of mechanical detection, dogs and manual demining. These three systems are used in an integrated manner and it is not possible to credit any one individual system as being responsible for locating mines and UXO.
	The original project called for four metres of clearance either side of the centre line. Following a request from the World Food Programme (WFP), which has contracted a company, GTZ, to undertake a temporary rehabilitation on the road, it was agreed to extend clearance to 6 metres either side of the centre line.

Sudan

Tom Brake: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's estimate is of the number of (a) refugees in Chad, (b) internally displaced persons in Darfur, (c) refugees in Chad receiving aid, (d) internally displaced persons receiving aid in Darfur, (e) civilians killed in fighting in Darfur since the beginning of 2005 and (f) civilians injured in fighting in Darfur since the beginning of 2005.

Hilary Benn: According to the December 2004 UN humanitarian profile 203,000 Sudanese refugees have fled to Eastern Chad and are registered in camps. The number of refugees living on the border area outside camps is estimated by the United Nations High Commissioner of Refugees (UNHCR) at 15,000.
	The UN estimates that over 1.66 million people have been internally displaced in Darfur. A further 530,000 people have been affected by the conflict and are in need of assistance; thus giving a total figure of 2.19 million.
	According to the UNHCR, all 203,000 refugees in camps in Chad are in receipt of food and non-food assistance. Those residing outside camps are receiving some assistance from NGOs.
	The UN estimated that 1.34 million of the conflict affected population in Darfur received food assistance. Shelter and non-food items were provided to 1.13 million internally displaced people.
	There are no reliable figures of civilians killed or injured in 2005 available yet. We are expecting to gain a better understanding of the situation in the next few months when the World Health Organisation completes its next mortality survey.

Tsunami

Tony Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what his Department's medium and long-term plans are to assist in the reconstruction of countries hit by the tsunami.

Hilary Benn: In response to the tsunami disaster which followed the earthquake in South East Asia, the Department for International Development has committed £75 million towards the immediate and medium term needs. This assistance is being channelled through United Nations agencies, the Red Cross Movement, non-governmental organisations and by DFID direct action. Of this, £40 million has been pledged as the UK contribution to the UN flash appeal. Requests for support from non-governmental organisations are still being received and we are continuing our direct action in support of priority needs. We estimate that the combined value of these will be about £25 million. The balance is being provided through the Red Cross, local initiatives being considered by DFID country offices, and the Ministry of Defence to cover the marginal costs of their operation.
	In addition to the £75 million already committed for immediate and medium term needs, DFID is preparing plans to support longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction. DFID's focus is expected to be on support to rebuilding livelihoods and services for poor people in affected countries. The governments concerned are currently completing needs assessments with the support of the World Bank and others, and DFID will consider how we can best channel our support once we have the completed assessments of need.
	We will work to ensure that the views of the poorest and most vulnerable are taken into account throughout the process of rehabilitation.
	It is clear that there needs to be an early warning system and more effective disaster response for the Indian Ocean and probably other areas too. The Association of South East Asian Nations has already committed to a system for their region, and the UK is ready to provide support and contribute to funding. Last week, DFID's parliamentary Under Secretary of State, attended the Kobe World Disaster Reduction Conference which discussed the setting up of a framework to achieve a global warning system covering all natural hazards, and all countries by June 2007.

Tsunami

Archy Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development when he expects to announce the Government's plans for long-term assistance for the reconstruction of countries affected by the Asian earthquake and floods.

Hilary Benn: The governments affected are currently completing assessments of the longer-term rehabilitation and reconstruction needs with the support of the World Bank and other donors. We expect these to be ready in the next few weeks. DFID will make an announcement of plans for supporting the longer-term efforts—which will be additional to the £75 million already committed for immediate and medium-term needs—once we have a clear idea of the need, and of the delivery mechanisms preferred by the governments concerned. DFID will work to ensure that the views of the poorest and most vulnerable are taken into account throughout the process of rehabilitation. It will be important that the donor response is well co-ordinated. DFID will also work to ensure that the UN relief effort is sustained and that there is a smooth transition from the recovery phase to longer-term rehabilitation.

Water Privatisation

Alan Duncan: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what the Government's policy is on whether to support within the EU the inclusion of a requirement for countries to privatise their water delivery under the terms of GATS.

Mr. Gareth Thomas: DFID's overall objective in the water sector is to ensure that poor people lead a healthier and more productive life by increasing their access to safe drinking water supplies.
	It is for this reason that DFID believes that there is an important role for the private sector to play in helping meet these targets (and the Millennium Development Goals) through providing investment and sharing technical expertise and more efficient management practices.
	The GATS negotiations are a request and offer process hence there is nothing under the GATS that compels countries to liberalise the water sector if it is not in their national interest. Governments remain free to, and should, regulate to address market failures and national policy objectives.

Zimbabwe

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development who signed Council Decision 2004/804/EC L356 volume 47 of 1 December on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe; where the signing took place; and whether sanctions were lifted to enable this procedure to take place.

Chris Mullin: I have been asked to reply.
	Mr. Gift Punungwe, the Zimbabwean ambassador in Brussels, signed Council Decision 2004/804/EC L356 volume 47 of 1 December on behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe. EU sanctions were not lifted to enable this procedure to take place, and did not need to be lifted. Mr. Punungwe is not on the EU's visa ban list.

TRANSPORT

A15

Greg Knight: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what requests for funding he has received from local authorities to (a) widen and (b) dual the A15 in Lincolnshire.

Charlotte Atkins: I have received no request for funding from local authorities to either (a) widen or (b) dual the A15 in Lincolnshire.

A3

Tim Yeo: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on negotiations between the Highways Agency and Balfour Beatty on the future of the A3 Hindhead Road Tunnel.

Alistair Darling: There have been no formal negotiations between the Highways Agency and Balfour Beatty on the future of the A3 Hindhead Road Tunnel. However, discussions have started on the programming and delivery of the scheme, following the outcome of the 2004 Spending Review announcement.

Dana Footbridge

Paul Marsden: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what improvements Network Rail plan to carry out to the Dana footbridge.

Tony McNulty: This is an operational matter for Network Rail who will write to the hon. Member.

Departmental Policies (Clwyd, South)

Martyn Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will set out, with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Clwyd, South constituency, the effects on Clwyd, South of his Department's policies and actions since 2 May 1997.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department has put in place a considerable programme of improvements across a wide range of transport policy areas since 1997. I am confident that the Clwyd, South constituency will have benefited from these. For example, the injury totals for all road casualties in Great Britain fell from 327,803 in 1997 to 290,607 in 2003, and the numbers of children aged under 16 years killed or seriously injured on our roads fell from 6,452 in 1997 to 4,100 in 2003. On our railways, passenger kilometres have increased from 32.1billion in 1996–07 to 40.9 billion in 2003–04, a rise of 27 per cent. In terms of improvements to air quality, emissions of the UK's two main pollutants—nitrous oxides and particles—fell by 31 per cent. and 27 per cent. respectively between 1997 and 2002.
	Responsibility for a number of transport functions has been devolved to the Welsh Assembly Government. For example, it is the Assembly that provides funding to local authorities in Wales in support of their local transport plans,
	Finally, the Department for Transport's website also contains data on transport trends over the past 20 years at http://www.dft.gov.uk.

Departmental Staff

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of his Department's staff is based in London.

Charlotte Atkins: Information on regional distribution of staff is available in the Libraries of both Houses, and also at http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/statistical_information/statistics/contents_forcivilservice_statistics_2003_report/index.asp.
	Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2004 are due to be published during February 2004.

Edinburgh-Paris Rail Link

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the viability of a direct rail link between Edinburgh and Paris.

Tony McNulty: The Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions commissioned Arthur D. Little to make a comprehensive analysis of the costs and benefits of the options for Regional Eurostar services and their report, Review of Regional Eurostar Services" was published on 17 February 2000. It concluded that there was not a positive economic business case for any of four options for direct regional services to Paris, including from Glasgow or Edinburgh. The Strategic Rail Authority (SRA) has reviewed the market for direct international regional services, including demand from Glasgow via Edinburgh and the east coast main line, and has concluded that in terms of likely demand the position has if anything worsened.

EU Presidency

Michael Moore: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Government's priorities for the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council during the United Kingdom's Presidency of the European Union will be; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: The overall Transport Council agenda for 2005 is outlined within the Luxembourg-UK Annual Operating Programme (AOP), copies of which have been placed in the Library of the House.
	Ongoing work includes; the Third Railway package"; the framework for charging heavy goods vehicles for the use of certain infrastructures; and the European satellite radio navigation system Galileo". New legislative proposals may also be brought forward by the Commission, possibly including: airport slot allocation; extension of scope of the European Aviation Safety Agency; access to air transport for passengers with reduced mobility; and maritime safety proposals (Erika III").
	My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, leads on the telecommunications and energy aspects of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council.
	In the telecoms part it is expected that the e-Europe strategy up to 2010 will be taken forward and concluded, and that the future direction of the existing Universal Services Directive will be discussed. In the energy part of the TTE Council it is expected that the End Use Efficiency and Energy Services Directive and the revised Energy Labelling Framework Directive will be taken forward, and any new proposals and communications put forward by the Commission ahead of the December TTE Council might be discussed.
	The final agenda for the UK presidency cannot yet be decided. It will be determined to a large extent by the agenda we inherit from the current presidency, and when specific Commission proposals are published.

Eurostar Platforms

Ian Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  if he will enable the Eurostar platforms at Waterloo Station to be made available to serve South West Trains passengers after April 2007;
	(2)  if he will provide a new separation system at Clapham Junction to enable commuter trains to gain access to the disused Eurostar platforms after April 2007.

Tony McNulty: Officials are working with the Strategic Rail Authority on a review of the possible future uses of Waterloo International station and associated infrastructure after Eurostar transfers its operations to St. Pancras. An announcement will be made in due course.

Hazel Grove Bypass

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he will make a decision on authorising a public inquiry into the route of the A555, Hazel Grove Bypass; and if he will make a statement.

David Jamieson: The A523/A555 Poynton Bypass, A6 Stockport North/South Bypass and the A555 Manchester Airport Link Road West are included in the Stockport Development Plan and it will be for the local authorities to determine the priority and timetable to implement the schemes. Until the highway authority submits any statutory Orders to the Secretary of State for Transport for confirmation for the scheme(s) it is not possible to say whether Public Inquiries will be decided upon or, if that were to be so, when they would be.

IT Projects

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list his Department's IT projects for each year since 1997, broken down by (a) amount spent, (b) purpose, (c) cost of over-run and (d) time of over-run.

Charlotte Atkins: The requested information has been placed in the Libraries of the House.

Pay Television Subscriptions

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many pay television subscriptions the Department had in each year since 1997; and what the cost was in each year.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport was formed in May 2002 and as a result the information provided only relates from the year 2002–03 onwards.
	The only pay television subscriptions the Department had during 2002–03 and 2003–04 were situated at its headquarters buildings in London where there were 30 NTL boxes providing access to satellite channels at a cost of £11,000 per year for the years 2002–03 and 2003–04.

Rail Safety

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment his Department has made of the safety of passengers who are (a) sitting and (b) standing in the event of (i) a rail crash and (ii) a derailment.

Tony McNulty: A report by the Health and Safety Executive in 1999, entitled 'Implications of overcrowding on railways', concluded that whether a passenger on a train involved in an incident is sitting or standing makes little difference to the overall severity of any injuries sustained. A copy of this report is available in the House Library.
	As part of the follow-up to the Ufton Nervet derailment, the Rail Safety and Standards Board is looking at seatbelts on trains, At the same time, it is also researching passenger survivability issues.

Railways

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what he expects the total cost of the Crossrail project will be; what percentage of this money will be provided by the Government; what percentage will be provided by private finance; and what form the private finance will take.

Tony McNulty: I refer the hon. Member to the written statement on Crossrail that the Secretary of State for Transport made on 20 July 2004, Official Report, column 23WS.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Passenger In Excess of Capacity levels were for fast and semi-fast services into London Paddington from (a) Maidenhead and (b) Twyford in the latest period for which figures are available, broken down by (i) morning and (ii) evening peak time.

Tony McNulty: For trains calling at Maidenhead, the autumn 2004 figures were 3.1 per cent. in the morning peak and 1.7 per cent. in the evening peak. For trains calling at Twyford the figures were 3.1 per cent. in the morning peak and 0.8 per cent. in the evening peak.

Railways

Theresa May: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what the Passenger In Excess of Capacity levels for commuter journeys into London Paddington were in the last period for which figures are available, broken down by (i) morning and (ii) evening peak time.

Tony McNulty: The autumn 2004 figures for First Great Western Link were 2.5 per cent. in the morning peak, 1.5 per cent. in the evening peak, and 2.1 per cent. for both peaks combined. This compares with the contractual thresholds of 4.5 per cent. for either peak in isolation or 3 per cent. for both peaks combined. First Great Western are not subject to PIXC.

Railways

Iain Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether links to and from the Tees Valley was a criterion in the recent East Coast Mainline franchise bid; and if he will make a statement.

Tony McNulty: Services to the Tees Valley from the East Coast Main Line will continue to be provided at Darlington by Northern Rail The 'base case' specification (present service levels with minor alterations) contained within the Invitation to Tender for the new InterCity East Coast franchise does not contain any requirement to offer direct services to the Tees Valley.

Road Accidents

Gordon Prentice: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research he has commissioned on the survival rates of drivers and passengers in different types and makes of vehicle in each type of road accident.

David Jamieson: The Department has no research on the survival rates of drivers and passengers in different types and makes of vehicle in each type of road accident. Nor has the Department recently commissioned any research into this. Estimates have been produced for the risk of driver injury in popular models of car if they are involved in a two-car injury accident. A report on the study is published on the DfT website.

Speed Restrictions

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what speed restrictions may be imposed on vehicles and bicycles using by-ways open to all traffic.

David Jamieson: holding answer 24 January 2005
	Local highway authorities are responsible for setting local speed limits on their roads, depending on local needs, This includes any by-ways that may be considered part of the public highway. They can introduce speed limits from 20 mph to 60 mph without the need for consent from the Secretary of State. Speed limits below 20 mph would require consent from the Secretary of State.

Telephone Usage

Paul Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many non-geographic 0870 telephone numbers are in use by his Department; and what services can be accessed by calling each of them.

Charlotte Atkins: The Department for Transport headquarters do not have any 0870 telephone numbers in use.
	VOSA have two 0870 numbers in use and DVLA have 14.

Transport Industry Support

Adrian Sanders: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on Government support for the transport industry in the last financial year.

Charlotte Atkins: The Government's strategy for transport was set out in the White Paper, The Future of Transport", published in July 2004, At the end of the financial year the Department will be publishing its Annual Report which will set out what financial and other support has been provided for transport during 2004–05.

HOME DEPARTMENT

Angela Cannings Case

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether cases similar to the Angela Cannings case are subject to non-judicial investigations.

Paul Goggins: There are currently no other cases, similar to that of Angela Cannings, being considered for eligibility for compensation.

Angela Cannings Case

Alan Meale: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons were for his decision not to offer financial compensation to Mrs. Angela Cannings for wrongful conviction and imprisonment.

Paul Goggins: Angela Cannings has not been awarded a payment of compensation for her wrongful conviction, as she did not meet the criteria of section 133 of the Criminal Justice Act 1988 for a statutory payment of compensation for her wrongful conviction. Nor did she meet the criteria for an ex-gratia payment of compensation under the terms of the then Home Secretary's statement to the House of Commons on 29 November 1985, Official Report, columns 691–92.

Antisocial Behaviour

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work of crime and disorder reduction partnerships in aiding co-ordination between different agencies in tackling housing-related antisocial behaviour.

Hazel Blears: The Government recognises that partnership working at a local level is the key to tacklingcrime and antisocial behaviour effectively. The TOGETHER campaign, which targets a wide range of practitioners, including social landlords, is about ensuring that all agencies work together in delivering effective interventions.
	We are supporting both social landlords and other agencies in identifying and delivering local solutions to local problems by working together within the framework that Crime and Disorder Partnerships provide.

Antisocial Behaviour

Patrick McLoughlin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many antisocial behaviour orders have been issued in (a) West Derbyshire Constituency and (b) Derbyshire since their introduction.

Hazel Blears: Anti-social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) have been available to the courts since 1 April 1999. From commencement, up to 30 June 2004 (latest available), the Home Office has been notified of 36 ASBOs issued within Derbyshire. Of these, three orders were issued, where restrictions have been imposed in Amber Valley borough council area, and six where restrictions have been imposed in Derbyshire Dales district council area (parts of which make up the West Derbyshire constituency).
	Data up to 30 September 2004 will be available shortly.

Asylum Seekers

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many failed asylum seekers have been removed to Zimbabwe since 16 November 2004.

Des Browne: In the period 16 November to 31 December 2004, inclusive, 40 asylum applicants were removed to Zimbabwe from the UK. This includes persons who left the UK under assisted voluntary return schemes organised by the International Organisation for Migration, and those persons who departed voluntarily after enforcement action had been initiated.
	This information has not been quality assured and should be treated as provisional management information only.
	National Statistics on the number and nationality of asylum applicants removed from the UK during the final quarter of 2004 will be published on the Home Office website on 22 February 2005 www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/immigration1.html.

Asylum Seekers

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what criteria his officials use to (a) assess and (b) substantiate accounts of torture and political persecution given by Zimbabwean asylum seekers.

Des Browne: Asylum caseworkers consider the applicant's written and oral evidence in the light of the available sources of information about the country situation and particular incidents, taking account also of any medical evidence of torture, before deciding whether the individual has a well-founded fear of persecution and should be recognised as a refugee under the terms of the 1951 Convention.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will chair the community liaison group for the accommodation centre for asylum-seekers in Bicester; and whether the chair will be elected.

Des Browne: The chair has not yet been appointed. It is expected that the chair will be selected by the members of the group.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will appoint the independent Minister of Accommodation Centres for asylum seekers.

Des Browne: We intend to ensure that the monitor is appointed in good time for him or her to be able to monitor the operation of accommodation centres from the date at which the first centre is open.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will appoint the community liaison manager for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester; to whom the community liaison manager will be answerable to; and by whom they will be paid.

Des Browne: GSL (UK) Ltd. will appoint a community liaison manager who will deal with local enquiries during the construction phase. He or she will be answerable to the Home Office and paid by GSL (UK) Ltd.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether the contractors will be represented on the community liaison group of the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester.

Des Browne: Yes. The contractor will both establish and be represented on the group.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department at what grade his Department will be represented on the community liaison group for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester.

Des Browne: The Home Office will be represented by a deputy director or assistant director of the UK Immigration Service.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what representation there will be for elected councillors from (a) the councils of (i) Ambros, (ii) Arncott, (iii) Blackthorn and (iv) Piddington, (b) Bicester town council, (c) Cherwell district council and (d) Oxfordshire county council of the Community Liaison Group for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester.

Des Browne: Representation on the community liaison group has not yet been decided; GSL (UK) Ltd. is actively seeking interest.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) clergy, (b) voluntary organisations, (c) residents and (d) local service providers will be included in the membership of the Community Liaison Group for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester; and how they will be chosen.

Des Browne: Representation on the community liaison group has not yet been decided; GSL (UK) Ltd. is actively seeking interest.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will determine who the key people from the local community are for inclusion in the Community Liaison Group for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester.

Des Browne: GSL (UK) Ltd. will invite representation from the local community.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department who will provide the secretariat for the Community Liaison Group for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester.

Des Browne: The secretariat will be provided by GSL (UK) Ltd.

Asylum Seekers

Tony Baldry: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the annual budget will be of the Community Liaison Group for the accommodation centre for asylum seekers at Bicester; and who will provide the funding for the group.

Des Browne: The administrative costs are expected to be minimal. The funding will be provided by GSL (UK) Ltd.

Begging

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department 
	(1)  what consultation he has had with beggars in drawing up measures to tackle the problem of begging;
	(2)  how the Department measures the effectiveness of the use of powers to deal with begging;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the measures which are in place to deal with the problem of begging;
	(4)  if he will make a statement on the alternatives to using the criminal justice system to tackle the problem of begging.

Hazel Blears: We need to ensure that we address the underlying causes of those who beg. If we help those who beg because of drug use to get access to effective treatment we help them, help communities and help those intimidated by begging. Better use of enforcement powers and alternative giving schemes will help to address the underlying and immediate problems.
	Begging is already a criminal offence, by making the offence of begging recordable the offender's details will be entered on the police national computer and there are powers to enable the offender to be finger-printed. This enables the police to identify repeat offenders and the courts will be able to issue community sentences, rather than fines, for those convicted a fourth time for an offence. This may include drug treatment. Since the end of July this year, begging has been included as a trigger offence under the Criminal Justice Interventions Programme. This will mean that those charged with begging will be drug tested and will enhance their opportunities for the underlying causes of their behaviour to be addressed and to route out repeat offending by offering treatment.
	Members of the public often find begging intimidating. A MORI survey carried out in August 2003 for the Antisocial Behaviour Unit at the Home Office found that two thirds of respondents resent being approached by those who beg and over half will not use a cash point if someone is begging near it.
	The Antisocial Behaviour Unit at the Home Office are working with five areas around the country: Brighton, Bristol, Camden, Westminster and Leeds to tackle begging.
	The approach developed in these areas involves a 'twin track' approach of enforcement and support; addressing the underlying causes of begging such as drugs as well as taking enforcement action when people don't heed advice or offers of support.
	Initial findings from the trailblazing areas indicate a reduction in begging and positive outcomes for former beggars. More detailed findings from these areas will emerge in March 2006.

Car Theft

Sarah Teather: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many car thefts there were in each London borough in (a) each year since 2001 and (b) each month to date in 2004.

Hazel Blears: The information requested has been supplied by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis and is contained in the following table.
	
		Recorded offences of theft of a motor vehicle by London borough -- Number of offences
		
			 Area 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 1,717 1,538 1,486 
			 Barnet 1,537 1,698 1,751 
			 Bexley 1,844 1,515 1,407 
			 Brent 1,591 1,625 1,941 
			 Bromley 2,086 2,239 1,950 
			 Camden 2,206 1,974 1,710 
			 Croydon 2,531 2,419 2,148 
			 Ealing 2,670 2,527 2,286 
			 Enfield 2,160 1,988 2,032 
			 Greenwich 2,570 2,433 2,289 
			 Hackney 2,861 2,616 2,429 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 1,257 1,133 1,114 
			 Haringey 2,853 2,412 2,301 
			 Harrow 753 998 857 
			 Havering 1,903 1,684 1,710 
			 Heathrow airport 45 43 59 
			 Hillingdon 1,833 1,707 1,570 
			 Hounslow 1,432 1,562 1,402 
			 Islington 2,651 2,330 2,232 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 1,197 1,094 1,008 
			 Kingston upon Thames 400 419 448 
			 Lambeth 2,995 2,806 2,305 
			 Lewisham 1,996 2,118 2,152 
			 Merton 1,033 905 999 
			 Newham 3,944 3,617 3,135 
			 Redbridge 2,598 2,093 1,872 
			 Richmond upon Thames 608 723 505 
			 Southwark 2,674 2,811 2,705 
			 Sutton 881 831 885 
			 Tower Hamlets 2,309 2,214 2,093 
			 Waltham Forest 2,010 2,254 1,995 
			 Wandsworth 1,965 1,818 1,367 
			 Westminster 1,408 1,482 1,390 
		
	
	
		
			  2004 
			  January February March April May 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 130 140 140 139 142 
			 Barnet 137 143 143 149 145 
			 Bexley 139 141 138 99 92 
			 Brent 139 158 154 128 154 
			 Bromley 176 146 182 136 154 
			 Camden 103 101 110 124 139 
			 Croydon 230 251 222 207 176 
			 Ealing 195 197 211 188 218 
			 Enfield 179 169 183 197 187 
			 Greenwich 223 189 171 194 199 
			 Hackney 195 201 220 173 175 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 61 90 93 83 90 
			 Haringey 202 212 222 200 202 
			 Harrow 77 50 60 78 75 
			 Havering 123 138 130 150 171 
			 Heathrow airport 3 2 3 1 3 
			 Hillingdon 146 141 166 134 107 
			 Hounslow 131 122 145 129 118 
			 Islington 131 116 149 111 128 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 97 100 98 86 81 
			 Kingston upon Thames 50 50 41 33 36 
			 Lambeth 178 138 161 141 124 
			 Lewisham 204 202 178 163 119 
			 Merton 72 79 77 73 90 
			 Newham 190 188 173 189 183 
			 Redbridge 174 173 189 140 157 
			 Richmond upon Thames 34 36 38 48 45 
			 Southwark 279 237 235 190 198 
			 Sutton 88 75 83 62 72 
			 Tower Hamlets 160 181 190 193 171 
			 Waltham Forest 162 189 145 146 153 
			 Wandsworth 131 115 127 138 120 
			 Westminster 108 86 103 87 102 
		
	
	
		
			  2004 
			  June July August September October 
		
		
			 Barking and Dagenham 145 128 103 140 155 
			 Barnet 158 175 165 192 243 
			 Bexley 95 83 83 83 87 
			 Brent 150 160 139 122 175 
			 Bromley 123 119 121 156 144 
			 Camden 104 97 118 109 135 
			 Croydon 167 175 161 148 191 
			 Ealing 166 204 232 218 276 
			 Enfield 158 150 112 164 214 
			 Greenwich 152 144 144 176 178 
			 Hackney 150 131 137 219 198 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 88 92 72 81 81 
			 Haringey 180 193 161 140 195 
			 Harrow 51 56 50 69 71 
			 Havering 143 105 121 124 126 
			 Heathrow airport 1 3 2 2 4 
			 Hillingdon 115 133 143 162 123 
			 Hounslow 128 123 136 155 146 
			 Islington 130 128 110 127 128 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 90 77 79 73 98 
			 Kingston upon Thames 46 44 38 39 29 
			 Lambeth 150 131 171 175 158 
			 Lewisham 153 121 176 179 151 
			 Merton 76 65 79 65 71 
			 Newham 183 169 171 197 193 
			 Redbridge 150 128 133 147 165 
			 Richmond upon Thames 32 46 38 38 41 
			 Southwark 227 198 191 196 224 
			 Sutton 66 55 67 62 92 
			 Tower Hamlets 160 156 171 172 192 
			 Waltham Forest 120 115 131 161 143 
			 Wandsworth 125 120 127 125 103 
			 Westminster 106 109 108 105 86

Community Support Officers

Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many of the 20,000 community support officers that the Government have proposed to recruit by 2008, referred to in the HMIC Annual Report 2003–04, are to be posted in Merseyside.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 17 January 2005
	The number of Community Support Officers (CSOs) in Merseyside at the end of September 2004 was 82. On 24 November I announced funding under the first round of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund (NPF) to enable Merseyside to recruit an additional 85 CSOs by the end of March. Details of the next phase of the NPF, for 2006–07 and 2007–08, will be announced later this year.

Crime

Brian Jenkins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans the Department has to denote business crime as a separate category within its reporting of criminal activity.

Hazel Blears: The Home Office currently publishes annual total crime statistics recorded by the police in England and Wales for the following offences specifically relating to business crime; robbery of business property, theft by an employee, theft from shops and theft of an automatic machine or meter. The most recent figures are available in Statistical Bulletin 10/04 Crime in England and Wales 2003–04" at http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/crimeew0304.html.
	However, we recognise that these figures provide a limited picture of the true nature of crimes experienced by the business sector. We are also aware that businesses do not report every incidence of crime for a variety of reasons.
	Bearing this in mind, on 26 November, the Home Office also published the initial findings of the 2002 Commercial Victimisation Survey. This provided further information on the actual levels of business crime as well as an indication of the proportion of businesses which report the crimes that they suffer.
	The Home Office Business Crime Team is also looking at how current information on business crime, including retail crime, can be enhanced, in particular, whether it is feasible to identify crimes against businesses in police recorded crime statistics through a pilot with South Wales.

Crime

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many alcohol-related violent offences have been reported to (a) Essex police and (b) Southend police in each year since 1997; and how many reports led to a (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction.

Hazel Blears: From the information collected on recorded crime and court proceedings, it is not possible to identify those violent offences which are alcohol-related. Such offences are not specifically defined by statute and details of the individual circumstances of offences do not feature in either data series.

Crime

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many cases of domestic violence have been reported to (a) Essex police and (b) Southend police in each year since 1997; and how many reports led to a (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction.

Hazel Blears: From the information collected on recorded crime and court proceedings, it is not possible to identify cases of domestic violence. Such offences are not specifically defined by statute and details of the individual circumstances of offences do not feature in either data series.

Crime

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many youth crime offences have been reported to (a) Essex police and (b) Southend police in each year since 1997; and how many reports led to (i)prosecution and (ii) conviction.

Hazel Blears: Information is not collected centrally on the number of recorded offences involving youths. The reason for this is that the recorded crime series deals purely with offences and does not collect any details on the offender.
	Statistics on the number of juvenile defendants proceeded against and found guilty in the Essex police force area and South East Essex petty sessional area are given in the table. Court proceedings data is published on a calendar year basis. Data for 2004 will not be available until the autumn.
	
		Number of juvenile defendants aged 10–17 proceeded against at magistrates courts and found guilty at all courts for all offences, 1997 to 2003(4)
		
			  Juveniles (all offences) 
			  Proceeded against Found guilty(5) 
		
		
			 Essex police force area  
			 1997 3,232 2,201 
			 1998 3,366 2,305 
			 1999 3,330 2,239 
			 2000 3,483 2,275 
			 2001 3,696 2,540 
			 2002 3,234 2,230 
			 2003 2,977 2,086 
			 South East Essex petty sessional area(6) 
			 1997 791 534 
			 1998 864 553 
			 1999 851 538 
			 2000 616 417 
			 2001 764 554 
			 2002 680 463 
			 2003 595 419 
		
	
	(4)These data are on the principal offence basis.
	(5)For South East Essex PSA the guilty figures include those found guilty at the Crown court where South East Essex PSA was the committing court.
	(6)Covers Southend and includes some parts of Rayleigh, Benfleet and Canvey.

Crime

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many instances of internet crime have been reported to (a) Essex police and (b) Southend police in each year since 1997; and how many reports led to a (i) prosecution and (ii) conviction.

Hazel Blears: From the information collected on recorded crime and court proceedings, it is not possible to identify internet crime offences. Such offences are not specifically defined by statute and details of the individual circumstances of offences do not feature in either data series.

Crime

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what recent research he has (a) commissioned and (b) evaluated on crime in retail stores; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Government takes crimes against the business community very seriously and is taking positive action to tackle retail crime and investigate the levels of crime that retailers suffer.
	A commercial victimisation survey was carried out in 2002 which covered the incidence and cost of crime suffered by retailers in the preceding 12 months. The survey showed that the level of crime against retailers was lower than in 1993.
	As part of the £15 million programme to support retailers in deprived areas, a development and practice report has been published to highlight initial results and best practice. A full evaluation of the programme will be published next year.
	The Government Office for London are working with the metropolitan police to conduct a study of crime experienced by Black and minority ethnic businesses in London. This will include retail stores and results of this study are expected to be published next year.
	Where reports have been published, they are available on the Home Office Website.
	A number of other annual surveys carried out by trade organisations, such as the British Retail Consortium and the British Chambers of Commerce, provide helpful information about the levels of crimes experienced by their members.

Crime

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the clear up rate for (a) burglary, (b) car theft and (c) possession of illegal drugs was in Southend in each of the last five years.

Hazel Blears: The available information relates to offences cleared up in the Southend Basic Command Unit and is given in the table.
	Information on the clear up rate for possession of drug offences is not available prior to 2001–02.
	
		Table 1: Clear up rates in the Southend basic command unit—1999–2000 to 2001–02 -- Percentage
		
			 Period Burglary in a dwelling Theft of a vehicle Possession of drugs 
		
		
			 1999–2000 18 19 n/a 
			 2000–01 21 18 n/a 
			 2001–02 20 24 96 
		
	
	n/a=not available.
	Note:
	The data in this table is prior to the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for later years.
	
		Table 2: Clear up rates in the Southend basic command unit—2002–03 and 2003–04 -- Percentage
		
			 Period Burglary in a dwelling Theft of a vehicle Possession of drugs 
		
		
			 2002–03 15 15 92 
			 2003–04 13 16 100 
		
	
	Note:
	The data in this table takes account of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standard in April 2002. These figures are not directly comparable with those for earlier years.

Crispen Kulinji

Peter Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will lift the certificate of fast tracking in respect of the case of Mr. Crispen Kulinji, appeal reference AS/18370/2004; if he will arrange for Mr. Kulinji to have access to experienced competent legal advice; what information is available to the department regarding abduction and torture, in respect of Mr. Kulinji; if he will arrange for Mr. Kulinji's release from the holding centre; and if he will grant permission for Mr. Kulinji to remain in this country.

Des Browne: Information on individual cases is confidential and cannot be divulged without the express consent of the individual concerned.

Custodial Sentences

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females aged 15 to 17 received custodial sentences in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: The information requested is contained in the following table.
	
		Persons aged 15 to 17 sentenced to immediate custody in England and Wales, 1997–2003
		
			  Males Females Total 
		
		
			 1997 6,651 302 6,953 
			 1998 6,695 331 7,026 
			 1999 6,949 388 7,337 
			 2000 6,355 409 6,764 
			 2001 6,418 398 6,816 
			 2002 6,224 461 6,685 
			 2003 5,223 355 5,578 
		
	
	Statistics for 2004 will be published in the autumn.

Custodial Sentences

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) males and (b) females aged 15 to 17 sentenced in each year since 1997 served their sentences more than 50 miles from their parents' homes.

Paul Goggins: The available information is in the following table. The figures were supplied by the Youth Justice Board and relate to persons placed more than 50miles from their recorded home address. Information is not available for the years 1997–99.
	
		All sentenced 15 to 17-year olds more than 50 miles from home 2000(7)–;04
		
			  Year admitted 
			 Age 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 
		
		
			 Gender (female):   
			 15 39 83 56 47 76 
			 16 42 71 73 71 88 
			 17 41 72 69 65 72 
			 Total 122 226 198 183 236 
			   
			 Gender (male):   
			 15 277 405 274 253 263 
			 16 437 610 437 349 427 
			 17 656 950 626 524 627 
			 Total 1370 1965 1337 1126 1317 
			   
			 Grand Total 1492 2191 1535 1309 1553 
		
	
	(7)data for 2000 is for 1 April to 31 December only.

Departmental Risk Assessments

Austin Mitchell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether his Department has conducted a risk assessment of (a) the implementation of the Criminal Justice Act 2003, (b) the timing of the introduction of the National Offender Management Service and (c) the reorganisation of the courts.

Paul Goggins: Risk assessments have been carried out on implementation of Criminal Justice Act 2003 (CJA) and the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) Change Programme. They considered the risks to the programme posed by a variety of factors, including timing and considered the likelihood and consequences of any such risks materialising. The resulting risk registers also detail the actions required to ensure that the consequences of any risk is minimised. These actions are being taken forward by the appropriate Directors. Risk management is supported by the NOMS Programme Office and overseen by the NOMS Programme and Executive Board. These feed into wider Home Office risk management procedures.
	A Risk Assessment on the re-organisation of the courts has been carried out by the Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA). The DCA established the Unified Courts Administration Programme (UCAP) to implement the re-organisation of the courts and to manage associated risks at area and regional levels. Risk registers are considered on a continuous review basis, and appropriate actions taken, by Directors at all levels of the organisation. Risk management is overseen, on behalf of the DCA, by UCAP and its Transitional Management Group.

Erkin Guney

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on Scotland Yard's Anti-Corruption Squad's investigation into the circumstances leading to the wrongful conviction of Erkin Guney; when the investigation is expected to be concluded; when the results are expected to be presented to the Crown Prosecution Service; when Mr. Guney will be advised of progress; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Erkin Guney was investigated and convicted on 23 July 1996 for possession of heroin with intent to supply and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. He received a 14 year prison sentence. Mr.Guney appealed three times against conviction and, on his third attempt in 2003, his appeal was upheld; grounds of an unsafe conviction were cited.
	I am advised by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) that on 23 July 2003 Mr. Guney made a complaint against the police for failing to investigate threats to kill him and for acting dishonestly in gathering information that led to his arrest and prosecution. The MPS referred the complaint to the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) who agreed to supervise an MPS investigation into that complaint. The IPCC took over the supervision of the case on 1 April 2004 from the PCA.
	The investigation is continuing but, given the length it has been running, the IPCC has requested that the Investigating Officer's final report be completed by mid-February. On receipt of the report, the IPCC will review the case and, if it is satisfied with the conduct of the investigation, the investigation will be closed.
	On conclusion of the investigation, if the report indicates a criminal offence may have been committed, a copy of the report will be sent to the Crown Prosecution Service.
	The IPCC wrote to the complainant's solicitors on 14 January 2005 with an update on the current position and will continue to report progress to Mr. Guney until the matter is concluded.

Essex Police (Court Attendance)

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many days working at usual duties were lost in each year since 1997 due to police officers in the Essex Constabulary attending court cases; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: Information on the number of working days Essex police officers spent attending court cases each year since 1997 has not been collected.

Fixed Penalty Notices

Liam Byrne: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the offences for which fixed penalty notices can be issued by (a) police constables and (b) police community support officers.

Hazel Blears: Police officers can issue fixed penalty notices under the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 for around 150 different offences which are listed in Schedule 3 to the Act. In addition the following offences have been added to the scheme since September 2000:
	No MOT contrary to s47 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; No insurance contrary to s143 of the Road Traffic Act 1988;
	Failure to supply details necessary to identify an offending driver contrary to s172 of the Road Traffic Act 1988; Overtaking a stationary or moving vehicle in the controlled area of a toucan crossing contrary to Regulation 28 of the Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 (TSRGD); Stopping in the controlled area of a toucan crossing contrary to Regulation 27 of the TSRGD; Failing to wear prescribed types of authorised eye protectors when driving or riding a motor bicycle contrary contrary to the Motor Cycles (eye Protectors) Regulations 1999.
	The police also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for disorder as provided for in the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001. The table lists the offences currently included in the scheme.
	Community support officers have the power of a constable to issue penalty notices for disorder except for the offences of theft and littering. In addition they have the power of a constable to issue fixed penalty notices for the offence of riding on a footway under s72 of the Highway Act.
	They also have the power of an authorised officer of a local authority to issue fixed penalty notices for an offence of dog fouling under s4 of the Dog (Fouling of Land) Act 1996, for littering under s88 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and for offences of fly posting or graffiti under s43 of the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003.
	Community support officers can issue road traffic fixed penalty notices only where they have additionally been designated by the Chief Constable as traffic wardens.
	The police and community support officers also have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for truancy, although these notices are normally issued by education welfare officers.
	
		Penalty Notice for Disorder Scheme: List of Penalty Offences
		
			 Act Description 
		
		
			 S 5, Criminal Law Act 1967 Wasting police time, giving false report. 
			 $1 27(2) of the Communications Act 2003 Use of a public electronic communications network in order to cause annoyance, inconvenience or needless anxiety. 
			 (England only) S49 of the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 Knowingly giving a false alarm to a person acting on behalf of a fire and rescue authority. 
			 S 31, Fire Services Act 1947 Knowingly giving a false alarm to a fire brigade. 
			 S5, Public Order Act 1986 Causing, harassment, alarm or distress. 
			 S80, Explosives Act 1875 Throwing fireworks. 
			 S91, Criminal Justice Act 1967 Drunk & disorderly. 
			 s169A of the Licensing Act 1964 Sell alcohol to person under 18. 
			 s169C(2)of the Licensing Act 1964 Purchase in licensed premises of alcohol for person under 18. 
			 s169C(3)of the Licensing Act 1964 Purchase of alcohol for consumption in a bar in licensed premises for person under 18. 
			 s169F of the Licensing Act 1964 Delivery of alcohol to person under 18 or allowing such delivery. 
			 s1 (1) of the Criminal Damage Act 1971 Destroying or damaging property (under £500). 
			 s1 of the Theft Act 1968 Theft (retail under 200)*. 
			 Fireworks Regulations 2004 under s11 of the Fireworks Act 2003 Contravention of a prohibition or failure to comply with a requirement imposed by or under fireworks regulations or making false statements, specifically; Breach of fireworks curfew. 
			 Fireworks Regulations 2004 under s11 of the Fireworks Act 2003 Contravention of a prohibition or failure to comply with a requirement imposed by or under fireworks regulations or making false statements, specifically; Possession of a category 4 firework. 
			 Fireworks Regulations 2004 under s11 of the Fireworks Act 2003 Contravention of a prohibition or failure to comply with a requirement imposed by or under fireworks regulations or making false statements, specifically; Possession by a person under 18 of an adult firework. 
			 S55, British Transport Commission Act 1949 Trespassing on a railway. 
			 S56, British Transport Commission Act 1949 Throwing stones at a train. 
			 S12, Licensing Act 1872 Drunk in highway. 
			 S12, Criminal Justice & Police Act 2001 Consume alcohol in designated public place, contrary to requirement by constable not to do so. 
			 S87(1)and(5)of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 Depositing and leaving litter*. 
			 169E(1)of the Licensing Act 1964 Consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 in licensed premises. 
			 169E(2)of the Licensing Act 1964 Allowing consumption of alcohol by a person under 18 in a bar in licensed premises.

Hunting Ban

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what advice he has given to the Association of Chief Police Officers in response to therequest for further clarification of the legal position on enforcing the ban on hunting with dogs; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: I have had discussions with the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) on the enforcement on the ban on hunting with dogs. It is for the police to enforce the ban on hunting with dogs, when the Hunting Act comes into force. ACPO are producing guidance to all forces on the enforcement of the Act.

Identity Cards and Passports

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the outcome was of the consultation with stakeholders on which services should be linked to identity cards and whether there should be unique personal numbers across public services.

Des Browne: The consultation on the draft Identity Cards Bill asked for comments on the powers set out in the draft Bill making regulations on the use of a card. Various stakeholders commented as part of the draft Bill consultation and in broader discussions with the Identity Cards Programme on whether, and if so how, to link identity cards with access to services. The Government published a summary of findings from the consultation exercise in October 2004 (Cm 6358).
	We did not consult at the time of the draft Bill however on whether there should be a unique personal number across public services.

Identity Cards and Passports

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 304W, on identity cards, what the value is of the contracts with each private sector company; and what work has been undertaken by (a) the private sector companies and (b) the Government bodies mentioned.

Des Browne: The Identity Cards Programme has received management consultancy advice from the following organisations:
	
		
			 Organisation Details Amount (£) 
		
		
			 Sirius consortium Advice on feasibility and scheme costs. 78,724 
			 SchlumbergerSema (Atos Origin) Programme and Project Management advice. 56,000 
			 PA Consulting Services Limited Project Management consultancy. 27,200 
			 Shreeveport Management Consultancy Facilitation of Workshops and Core Proposition development. 43,250 
			 Axon Group Plc. Proposals relating to Human Resources. 28,766 
			 Cornwell Management Consultants plc. Assessment of potential Public sector delivery partners. 47,548 
			 PA Consulting Services Limited Provision of management consultancy for the development of the ID Card Scheme. 6,527,760 committed up to 1 January 2005 
		
	
	And from these Government bodies.
	
		
			 Organisation Details 
		
		
			 Communications Electronic Security Group (GCHQ) Provision of advice on communications and general security. 
			 Office of Government Commerce Provision of general project management advice. 
			 Partnerships UK plc. Procurement and Contracting advice relating to potential Public and Private sector  interactions. 
			 UK Passport Service Provision of advice including work on costings and processes

Identity Cards and Passports

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what coaching will be provided to citizens in how to present their biometrics for verification purposes when applying for an identity card; whether such coaching will form part of the identity card enrolment process; and what provision has been made for such coaching in the published costs for the scheme.

Des Browne: As part of the broader communications plan for the scheme, provision has been made to make the public aware of biometrics and how they will be recorded and used. The precise forms of the communication are to be determined.

Identity Cards and Passports

Mark Oaten: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 335W, on passports, what the figures are for adult passport (a) applications and (b) renewals.

Des Browne: Table 1 outlines UKPS' 10-year forecast of demand for adult new passports and adult passport renewals.
	
		Table 1: Forecast of new and renewal adult passport applications
		
			  Adult new passport applications Adult passport renewals 
		
		
			 2005 649,948 3,845,410 
			 2006 615,779 4,314,519 
			 2007 591,032 4,032,225 
			 2008 565,403 3,849,008 
			 2009 535,685 3,331,655 
			 2010 536,686 3,586,329 
			 2011 537,412 3,874,613 
			 2012 538,176 3,765,436 
			 2013 538,733 3,777,595 
			 2014 538,748 4,227,314 
		
	
	These figures do not include applications for replacement lost or stolen passports or amendments to existing passports.

Immigration

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the latest average waiting time is for determination of applications for permanent leave to remain from persons who have in excess of four continuous years of being granted work permits, where the applicant is (a) from an EU member state and (b) not from an EU member state; and what the waiting times were in each of the previous six months.

Des Browne: holding answer 14 December 2004
	The information requested is set out in the table.
	All figures are for non-EU nationals, as EU nationals are not subject to work permit requirements. EU nationals are also not required to apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain.
	The average processing times do not include applications dealt with on the same day in the Public Inquiry Office.
	
		Number of application for indefinite leave to remain through four years work permit employment.
		
			  2004 
			  June July August September October November 
		
		
			 Number of applications 1,465 1,435 1,700 1,765 1,715 1,610 
			 Applications processed on the same day through the Public Inquiry Office (PEO) 365 370 360 385 350 115 
			 Average processing time (calendar days) for applications not processed on same day in PEO 25 30 35 25 30 20 
		
	
	The figure for average processing times in recent months is not final because they do not include a number of the more complex cases that have yet to be completed.
	The processing time is taken from the date that the application was received until the dispatch date.
	These figures are based on unvalidated information drawn from internal management systems, and there may be data quality variations.
	Figures have been rounded to the nearest five.

Immigration

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many asylum seekers whose applications have not been resolved, are currently serving custodial sentences for crimes committed in the UK.

Paul Goggins: The Prison Service central IT system does not record the immigration status of prisoners who are serving a custodial sentence. The information requested is not therefore available except by examination of individual case-files, at disproportionate cost.

Lincolnshire Police Force

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the police stations in Lincolnshire in each year from 1997 to 2004.

Hazel Blears: The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each police authority and the chief officer.

Lincolnshire Police Force

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers there are in the Lincolnshire constabulary.

Hazel Blears: On 30 September 2004, there were 44 community support officers (CSOs) deployed by Lincolnshire constabulary.
	A further 37 CSO posts, all supported by Home Office funding, will be recruited by 31 March 2005.

Metropolitan Police Sports Ground

Andrew MacKinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether plans are in place to use the Metropolitan Police Sports Ground at Imber Court and related buildings and property for other purposes in certain circumstances; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 10 January 2005
	The management of the police estate and allocation of resources are matters for each Police Authority and the Chief Officer.

Mr. B. Mayo

Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will ask the Independent Police Complaints Commission to investigate the reasons for the delay in resolving the caseof Mr. B. Mayo.

Hazel Blears: Under the provisions of the Police Reform Act 2002, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) can investigate a case only if it has been recorded by a police force and referred formally to the IPCC. The Secretary of State has no powers to intervene in that process.
	However, it is a statutory function of the IPCC to determine if there are any lessons to be learned following an investigation and, if so, to make recommendations or give advice to the police service concerned or police services in general.
	I understand that Mr. Nick Hardwick, Chair of the IPCC, will be providing a substantive response to the hon. Member's letter of 13 January 2005 to the IPCC, in which he sought his assistance in resolving this case.

National Offender Management Service

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the reasons are for the introduction of the concept of contestability within the National Offender Management Service.

Paul Goggins: Contestability is the principle that best quality and best value for money in the supervision, punishment and care of offenders will be achieved through ensuring that all appropriate services are opened up to competition with other providers. We want the most effective and efficient services for offenders both in prison and in the community whether these are provided by the public, private, voluntary or not for profit" sectors. The concept of contestability is being introduced within National Offender Management Service (NOMS) following its successful application within the Prison Service.

Offender Assessment

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what progress has been made in rolling out the OASys offender assessment tool in (a) prisons and (b) probation; how many prisons have access to the system; when roll-out will be complete; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: OASys was rolled out, on schedule, to all prison establishments by early January 2005 and is already in use by all probation areas. Only those public sector establishments that hold juveniles do not have OASys; a separate assessment tool is used for prisoners under 18. We expect to complete the connection of the OASys IT systems between all probation areas and prisons by the autumn of 2005.

Penalty Enforcement Reform

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for reform of the (a) enforcement and (b) administration of (i) criminal penalties and (ii) fixed penalty notices.

Paul Goggins: Custodial penalties are enforced and administered within the private and public sector prisons system. Community penalties are enforced and administered largely under arrangements made by local probation boards and with electronic monitoring contractors. Provisions in the Criminal Justice Act 2003 will introduce tougher requirements for the courts when dealing with breaches of community orders. The Management of Offenders and Sentencing Bill, currently before Parliament, includes provisions further to develop offender management within the National Offender Management Service. Measures include extended powers to direct the contracting out of probation services and the preparation of sentence plans for all offenders receiving custodial or community penalties.
	Financial penalties are enforced by the magistrates courts. The Department for Constitutional Affairs' Enforcement Programme is delivering a wide programme of change aimed at improving the enforcement and administration of financial penalties. These include improving intelligence; a new legislative framework for enforcement provided by the Courts Act 2003; and taking the opportunity offered by the launch of Her Majesty's Courts Service to introduce more effective and efficient ways of working.
	Most fixed penalty notices are enforced by prosecution or by the registration of a fine against a recipient who fails to pay the penalty or request a court hearing within the specified time. Registered fines are then enforced by the magistrates court in the same way as any other fine. For road traffic offences, consideration for prosecution follows when the endorsement of the statutory penalty points would result in disqualification. There are no plans to change this process.
	Fixed penalty notices for road traffic offences and disorder are administered through a computer system which operates in both police forces and magistrates courts. There are no plans to change this arrangement, although the computer systems will need upgrading in the medium term. Certain changes to the fixed penalty system are proposed in the Road Safety Bill currently before Parliament. These are designed essentially to enable road traffic fixed penalty notices to be given to those who do not hold a GB driving licence and counterpart and to enable more effective enforcement against those who cannot prove an address in the UK.

Police

Sally Keeble: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he is taking to support measures to improve the performance of Northamptonshire Police; and if he will make a statement.

Hazel Blears: The Police Standards Unit (PSU) has been working with Northamptonshire Police since the spring of 2004. This work has included a diagnostic phase which reviewed how the force manages burglary, vehicle and drug related crime. The review has also looked specifically at the use of forensic science and the custody processes in operation. The results of the diagnostic phase were a series of recommendations to enhance performance in each of the above areas, and these have been put to the force to consider for implementation.
	In addition to this work, the force has completed a review of its structure and policing style and as a result of this has put into place the Northamptonshire Policing Model (NPM). This model restructures the force around different policing units to enable the force to deal more effectively with incident management and with community issues, crime investigations, and prisoner handling. The PSU is part-funding consultants who are working with the force to ensure that the NPM is implemented with minimum disruption, and that the focus on performance is vigorously maintained.
	We are confident that the joint efforts of the PSU, Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) and Northamptonshire Police will result in substantial improvements in performance.

Police

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what proportion of numbers of police officers in Wales are (a) community support officers, (b) reserve officers and (c) part-time officers.

Hazel Blears: Community support officers (CSOs) are not police officers, but police staff for whom the chief officer of the force may designate certain limited powers.
	The police service in England and Wales does not have a category of reserve police officers.
	The total number of police officers in England in Wales is usually expressed in terms of full-time equivalent posts for which part-time posts are aggregated and not pure headcount (which, consequently, is always a higher figure). The full-time equivalent figure is used when announcing overall police officer numbers.
	The full-time equivalent strength for 31 August 2004 for the four forces in Wales was 7,414. The most recent data available on part-time police officers is 31 March 2004, when the full-time equivalent strength was also 7,414 and the headcount figure was 7,545. There were 188 part-time police officers in post at that date; this is 2.5 per cent. of the 7,545 headcount figure.
	In addition, there were 629 special constables on that date. At the end of September 2004, there were 130 CSOs in post in Wales. On 24 November I announced that funding was available for an additional 125 community support officers for the four Welsh police forces.

Police Authority Funding

David Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what additional funding is available to police authorities from central funds to implement (a) the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 and (b) the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 29 November 2004
	The Home Office, not police authorities, is responsible for implementation of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000. Police authorities fund operations undertaken within the terms of the Act, as part of force activity within the force budget. Operational decisions are a matter for each Chief Constable.
	For local and police authorities in England and Wales increases in Revenue Support Grant will cover the new burdens of meeting costs of the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Police Methods

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what proportion of (a) rape and (b) murder investigations by (i) Cleveland police and (ii)other north eastern police forces a scene of crime officer was automatically despatched to the crime scene in the last period for which figures are available.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is not collected centrally.

Police Numbers

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) police officers and (b) police civilian staff each police authority in England and Wales has had in each year since 1995.

Hazel Blears: The information requested is set out in the following tables.
	
		Police officer strength, England and Wales, as at 31 March(Full-time equivalent)
		
			  1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 3,000 2,981 2,989 2,976 2,999 
			 Bedfordshire 1,126 1,128 1,094 1,079 1,041 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,261 1,238 1,302 1,291 1,274 
			 Cheshire 1,932 1,998 2,046 2,042 2,071 
			 Cleveland 1,438 1,420 1,459 1,483 1,416 
			 Cumbria 1,167 1,115 1,144 1,164 1,126 
			 Derbyshire 1,797 1,763 1,791 1,772 1,759 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,877 2,899 2,865 2,962 2,887 
			 Dorset 1,288 1,263 1,284 1,310 1,279 
			 Durham 1,353 1,401 1,461 1,515 1,568 
			 Dyfed-Powys 976 991 1,005 1,002 1,026 
			 Essex(8) 2,921 2,884 2,961 2,928 2,891 
			 Gloucestershire 1,163 1,133 1,133 1,104 1,104 
			 Greater Manchester 7,037 6,938 6,922 6,949 6,810 
			 Gwent 997 1,044 1,243 1,233 1,247 
			 Hampshire 3,256 3,347 3,452 3,490 3,473 
			 Hertfordshire(8) 1,703 1,712 1,759 1,740 1,724 
			 Humberside 2,029 2,041 2,045 2,021 1,974 
			 Kent 3,117 3,120 3,260 3,251 3,201 
			 Lancashire 3,212 3,171 3,247 3,257 3,245 
			 Leicestershire 1,839 1,908 1,949 1,983 1,993 
			 Lincolnshire 1,199 1,145 1,196 1,191 1,140 
			 London, City of 885 869 859 825 778 
			 Merseyside 4,659 4,411 4,230 4,216 4,211 
			 Metropolitan Police(8) 27,480 27,343 26,677 26,094 26,073 
			 Norfolk 1,395 1,401 1,432 1,430 1,381 
			 North Wales 1,366 1,378 1,369 1,396 1,391 
			 North Yorkshire 1,300 1,324 1,338 1,367 1,337 
			 Northamptonshire 1,156 1,153 1,177 1,169 1,137 
			 Northumbria 3,606 3,668 3,677 3,769 3,840 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,319 2,318 2,323 2,323 2,225 
			 South Wales 3,014 3,027 2,976 2,986 2,981 
			 South Yorkshire 3,040 3,073 3,159 3,182 3,168 
			 Staffordshire 2,231 2,209 2,211 2,292 2,238 
			 Suffolk 1,191 1,138 1,180 1,186 1,190 
			 Surrey(8) 1,676 1,644 1,620 1,608 1,662 
			 Sussex 2,931 3,074 3,085 2,996 2,847 
			 Thames Valley 3,854 3,674 3,695 3,776 3,748 
			 Warwickshire 1,013 979 926 924 908 
			 West Mercia 2,046 2,017 2,040 2,010 2,025 
			 West Midlands 7,019 7,145 7,113 7,156 7,321 
			 West Yorkshire 5,050 5,142 5,209 5,155 4,982 
			 Wiltshire 1,261 1,218 1,154 1,156 1,151 
			 Total 125,180 124,844 125,051 124,756 123,841 
			 Total England and Wales (inc secondments) 127,222 126,901 127,158 126,814 126,096 
		
	
	
		
			  2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2004 (31 August) 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2,934 2,994 3,096 3,149 3,401 3,405 
			 Bedfordshire 1,028 1,036 1,069 1,106 1,181 1,172 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,237 1,296 1,362 1,384 1,400 1,409 
			 Cheshire 2,011 2,002 2,059 2,119 2,177 2,145 
			 Cleveland 1,404 1,407 1,461 1,582 1,687 1,616 
			 Cumbria 1,084 1,048 1,100 1,140 1,222 1,231 
			 Derbyshire 1,777 1,823 1,848 2,003 2,070 2,061 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,841 2,934 3,053 3,202 3,283 3,319 
			 Dorset 1,306 1,354 1,381 1,416 1,433 1,438 
			 Durham 1,558 1,595 1,614 1,651 1,685 1,679 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,040 1,055 1,132 1,149 1,160 1,165 
			 Essex(8) 2,806 2,897 2,946 2,989 3,098 3,106 
			 Gloucestershire 1,114 1,173 1,183 1,227 1,284 1,261 
			 Greater Manchester 6,795 6,909 7,217 7,343 8,042 8,061 
			 Gwent 1,264 1,274 1,333 1,341 1,372 1,394 
			 Hampshire 3,419 3,438 3,480 3,668 3,706 3,727 
			 Hertfordshire(8) 1,767 1,922 1,825 1,957 2,086 2,124 
			 Humberside 1,932 1,917 2,058 2,105 2,213 2,230 
			 Kent 3,204 3,319 3,355 3,487 3,576 3,530 
			 Lancashire 3,179 3,255 3,304 3,339 3,550 3,567 
			 Leicestershire 1,993 2,032 2,100 2,114 2,277 2,257 
			 Lincolnshire 1,115 1,202 1,198 1,221 1,228 1,211 
			 London, City of 732 703 764 808 853 866 
			 Merseyside 4,085 4,081 4,125 4,099 4,122 4,278 
			 Metropolitan Police(8) 25,485 24,878 26,223 27,984 29,735 30,021 
			 Norfolk 1,381 1,420 1,468 1,499 1,510 1,517 
			 North Wales 1,403 1,444 1,506 1,539 1,603 1,591 
			 North Yorkshire 1,283 1,305 1,417 1,444 1,529 1,535 
			 Northamptonshire 1,117 1,157 1,214 1,210 1,239 1,263 
			 Northumbria 3,788 3,857 3,929 3,943 4,040 4,056 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,204 2,275 2,330 2,411 2,484 2,523 
			 South Wales 2,926 3,154 3,222 3,239 3,279 3,264 
			 South Yorkshire 3,163 3,197 3,199 3,183 3,279 3,292 
			 Staffordshire 2,170 2,129 2,133 2,202 2,266 2,274 
			 Suffolk 1,145 1,133 1,203 1,253 1,304 1,302 
			 Surrey(8) 1,785 2,066 1,992 1,906 1,913 1,912 
			 Sussex 2,822 2,855 2,893 2,989 3,039 3,062 
			 Thames Valley 3,740 3,703 3,762 3,833 4,034 4,139 
			 Warwickshire 900 926 969 997 1,008 995 
			 West Mercia 1,887 1,951 2,018 2,256 2,355 2,349 
			 West Midlands 7,194 7,423 7,681 7,751 7,887 8,039 
			 West Yorkshire 4,822 4,815 4,889 5,029 5,275 5,370 
			 Wiltshire 1,118 1,120 1,157 1,158 1,217 1,200 
			 Total 121,956 123,476 127,267 131,426 137,105 137,956 
			 Total England and Wales (inc secondments) 124,170 125,682 129,603 133,366 139,200 139,728 
		
	
	(8) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 between the Metropolitan Police (MPS), Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey reduced the strength of the MPS in 2000–01.
	Note:
	Officers on career breaks and maternity/paternity leave over 28days are excluded.

Police Numbers

Mark Simmonds: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many community support officers there are in each police authority in England and Wales.

Hazel Blears: The number of community support officers (CSOs) on patrol in each police authority in England and Wales on 30 September 2004 is shown in the following table. I wrote to all hon. Members on 23 November 2004 setting out the number of additional posts we intended to fund from the first round of the Neighbourhood Policing Fund. This is an additional £50 million we announced in the summer to guarantee that the number of community support officers reaches at least 5,500 by 31 March 2005. We further intend that the number of CSOs should reach 24,000 by March 2008.
	
		Number of Community Support Officers (CSOs),England and Wales
		
			  Police Authority CSOs on Patrol at 30 September 2004 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 75 
			 Bedfordshire 27 
			 Cambridgeshire 60 
			 Cheshire 46 
			 City of London 0 
			 Cleveland 75 
			 Cumbria 0 
			 Derbyshire 0 
			 Devon and Cornwall 59 
			 Dorset 20 
			 Durham 36 
			 Dyfed-Powys 11 
			 Essex 75 
			 Gloucestershire 50 
			 Greater Manchester 188 
			 Gwent 47 
			 Hampshire 0 
			 Hertfordshire 70 
			 Humberside 0 
			 Kent 63 
			 Lancashire 118 
			 Leicestershire 57 
			 Lincolnshire 44 
			 Merseyside 82 
			 Metropolitan 1,809 
			 Norfolk 57 
			 North Wales 8 
			 North Yorkshire 49 
			 Northamptonshire 23 
			 Northumbria 51 
			 Nottinghamshire 69 
			 South Wales 64 
			 South Yorkshire 56 
			 Staffordshire 13 
			 Suffolk 15 
			 Surrey 75 
			 Sussex 149 
			 Thames Valley 7 
			 Warwickshire 45 
			 West Mercia 70 
			 West Midlands 104 
			 West Yorkshire 282 
			 Wiltshire 20 
			 Total 4,169

Police Numbers

Claire Ward: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers there were in Hertfordshire in (a) 1995 and (b) 2004; and if he will make a statement on the percentage change in funding of the police service during that period.

Hazel Blears: On 31 March 1995 there were 1,703 police officers in the Hertfordshire Constabulary. The latest figure, for 31 August 2004, is 2,124 officers, an increase of 421, or 24.7 per cent.
	The increase in officer numbers and funding for Hertfordshire Police Authority was affected by changes to the boundaries of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) on 1 April 2000, when parts of the Metropolitan Police District were transferred to Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey. The effects of the boundary changes were incorporated into the police funding formula and the overall transfer was in terms of financial resources, not officers.
	However, 183 MPS officers were seconded to Hertfordshire on 1 April 2000 for up to two years to assist with policing while Hertfordshire Constabulary arranged to recruit its own officers for the expanded force area.
	General grants (comprised of Home Office principal Police Grant, Revenue Support Grant and redistributed business rates) to Hertfordshire Police Authority have increased by 45.4 per cent. between 1995–96 and 2004–05.
	In addition to general Government grants, Hertfordshire Police Authority has also benefited from specific grants for targeted programmes, first introduced in 2000–01, such as the Crime Fighting Fund (CFF), to increase and maintain the number of police officers. Hertfordshire has had CFF funding to support the recruitment of 113 additional police officers.

Police Numbers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many full-time equivalent police officers are employed in the metropolitan police force; and what the figure was five years ago.

Hazel Blears: At the end of August 2004 there were 30,021 police officers in the metropolitan police service, compared with 25,485 in March 2000. Following boundary changes on 1 April 2000 with Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey, the metropolitan police district was reduced in size and some resources were transferred to the other three forces. Metropolitan police service strength data prior to April 2000 is therefore not comparable with later data.

Police Numbers

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many special constables are serving in the metropolitan police force.

Hazel Blears: The metropolitan police service had 726 special constables serving at 31 December 2004.

Police Officers

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers, excluding support staff and community support officers, were employed in each police authority in England and Wales in each year since 1996–97.

Hazel Blears: The information is set out in the table.
	
		Police officer strength, England and Wales, as at 31 March (full-time equivalent)
		
			  1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2004 (31 August) 
		
		
			 Avon and Somerset 2,989 2,976 2,999 2,934 2,994 3,096 3,149 3,401 3,405 
			 Bedfordshire 1,094 1,079 1,041 1,028 1,036 1,069 1,106 1,181 1,172 
			 Cambridgeshire 1,302 1,291 1,274 1,237 1,296 1,362 1,384 1,400 1,409 
			 Cheshire 2,046 2,042 2,071 2,011 2,002 2,059 2,119 2,177 2,145 
			 Cleveland 1,459 1,483 1,416 1,404 1,407 1,461 1,582 1,687 1,616 
			 Cumbria 1,144 1,164 1,126 1,084 1,048 1,100 1,140 1,222 1,231 
			 Derbyshire 1,791 1,772 1,759 1,777 1,823 1,848 2,003 2,070 2,061 
			 Devon and Cornwall 2,865 2,962 2,887 2,841 2,934 3,053 3,202 3,283 3,319 
			 Dorset 1,284 1,310 1,279 1,306 1,354 1,381 1,416 1,433 1,438 
			 Durham 1,461 1,515 1,568 1,558 1,595 1,614 1,651 1,685 1,679 
			 Dyfed-Powys 1,005 1,002 1,026 1,040 1,055 1,132 1,149 1,160 1,165 
			 Essex (9) 2,961 2,928 2,891 2,806 2,897 2,946 2,989 3,098 3,106 
			 Gloucestershire 1,133 1,104 1,104 1,114 1,173 1,183 1,227 1,284 1,261 
			 Greater Manchester 6,922 6,949 6,810 6,795 6,909 7,217 7,343 8,042 8,061 
			 Gwent 1,243 1,233 1,247 1,264 1,274 1,333 1,341 1,372 1,394 
			 Hampshire 3,452 3,490 3,473 3,419 3,438 3,480 3,668 3,706 3,727 
			 Hertfordshire (9) 1,759 1,740 1,724 1,767 1,922 1,825 1,957 2,086 2,124 
			 Humberside 2,045 2,021 1,974 1,932 1,917 2,058 2,105 2,213 2,230 
			 Kent 3,260 3,251 3,201 3,204 3,319 3,355 3,487 3,576 3,530 
			 Lancashire 3,247 3,257 3,245 3,179 3,255 3,304 3,339 3,550 3,567 
			 Leicestershire 1,949 1,983 1,993 1,993 2,032 2,100 2,114 2,277 2,257 
			 Lincolnshire 1,196 1,191 1,140 1,115 1,202 1,198 1,221 1,228 1,211 
			 London, City of 859 825 778 732 703 764 808 853 866 
			 Merseyside 4,230 4,216 4,211 4,085 4,081 4,125 4,099 4,122 4,278 
			 Metropolitan police (9) 26,677 26,094 26,073 25,485 24,878 26,223 27,984 29,735 30,021 
			 Norfolk 1,432 1,430 1,381 1,381 1,420 1,468 1,499 1,510 1,517 
			 North Wales 1,369 1,396 1,391 1,403 1,444 1,506 1,539 1,603 1,591 
			 North Yorkshire 1,338 1,367 1,337 1,283 1,305 1,417 1,444 1,529 1,535 
			 Northamptonshire 1,177 1,169 1,137 1,117 1,157 1,214 1,210 1,239 1,263 
			 Northumbria 3,677 3,769 3,840 3,788 3,857 3,929 3,943 4,040 4,056 
			 Nottinghamshire 2,323 2,323 2,225 2,204 2,275 2,330 2,411 2,484 2,523 
			 South Wales 2,976 2,986 2,981 2,926 3,154 3,222 3,239 3,279 3,264 
			 South Yorkshire 3,159 3,182 3,168 3,163 3,197 3,199 3,183 3,279 3,292 
			 Staffordshire 2,211 2,292 2,238 2,170 2,129 2,133 2,202 2,266 2,274 
			 Suffolk 1,180 1,186 1,190 1,145 1,133 1,203 1,253 1,304 1,302 
			 Surrey (9) 1,620 1,608 1,662 1,785 2,066 1,992 1,906 1,913 1,912 
			 Sussex 3,085 2,996 2,847 2,822 2,855 2,893 2,989 3,039 3,062 
			 Thames Valley 3,695 3,776 3,748 3,740 3,703 3,762 3,833 4,034 4,139 
			 Warwickshire 926 924 908 900 926 969 997 1,008 995 
			 West Mercia 2,040 2,010 2,025 1,887 1,951 2,018 2,256 2,355 2,349 
			 West Midlands 7,113 7,156 7,321 7,194 7,423 7,681 7,751 7,887 8,039 
			 West Yorkshire 5,209 5,155 4,982 4,822 4,815 4,889 5,029 5,275 5,370 
			 Wiltshire 1,154 1,156 1,151 1,118 1,120 1,157 1,158 1,217 1,200 
			 Total 125,051 124,756 123,841 121,956 123,476 127,267 131,426 137,105 137,956 
			 Total England and Wales (including secondments) 127,158 126,814 126,096 124,170 125,682 129,603 133,366 139,200 139,728 
		
	
	(9) Boundary changes on 1 April 2000 between the Metropolitan police (MPS), Essex, Hertfordshire and Surrey reduced the strength of the MPS in 2000–01.

Police Standards Unit

Paddy Tipping: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the work that the Police Standards Unit has undertaken with Nottinghamshire police; and what estimate he has made of the cost of such work.

Hazel Blears: holding answer 17 January 2005
	The Police Standards Unit (PSU) has been working with Nottinghamshire police since the spring of 2003. Developed in close liaison with Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary, there is now a mature and comprehensive programme of work in place aimed at supporting the force to reduce and better investigate crime through delivering performance improvements in operational and organisational areas.
	The key areas of PSU work with the force are on improving capacity for forensics, intelligence-led policing (with a particular focus on drugs and major crime), performance management, and on tackling persistent offenders. PSU is also working with the force on management of serious crime, sanction detections, and tackling violent crime.
	In addition to the investment of time from PSU staff, the total cost of PSU's work with Nottinghamshire police to date has been £2.4million. This funding has been divided between provision of staff (including extra Scenes of CrimeOfficers and a drugs manager), infrastructure (e.g. provision of hardware) and consultancy support (e.g. on the force's performance management framework).
	Nottinghamshire police have achieved significant reductions in crime during the time that PSU have been working with them. For example, according to the latest figures from the force, over the last 12 months the number of domestic burglaries has fallen by 23 per cent., robberies by 26 pre cent. and vehicle crimes by 15 per cent., when compared to the previous 12 months.

Police/Prison Service

Kate Hoey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what changes have occurred to the entry level fitness tests for the (a) Police Service and (b) Prison Service since 2000.

Paul Goggins: The Police Service introduced a national standard for Recruitment Fitness Testing in April 2002. Prior to this, different forces used different Fitness Tests and different standards applied. Officers are tested prior to recruitment and during probation.
	1 April 2002—test consisted of:
	Speed and Agility, 27 seconds
	Grip Strength, 32 kgs
	Dynamic strength, Dyno Machine—Push 34 kg/ Pull 35 kg
	Endurance fitness i.e. Multi-stage shuttle run 1 Shuttle at level 8 (8/1)
	1 July 2003—following research conducted by the Prison Service (as set out) and a conclusion that the speed/agility element may not be justified, interim adjustments were made to the test pending further research. These were:
	Discontinuation of the speed/agility element
	Change to the required standard for endurance fitness to level 5–4 shuttles (5/4).
	2 August 2004—following further research and a decision to base the fitness requirement on the level of fitness needed for Officer Safety Training—the test was adjusted by:
	Discontinuation of the grip strength element of the test
	Currently, police recruits must demonstrate:
	Endurance fitness to level 5/4
	Dynamic strength—push 34kgs; pull 35 kgs
	A working party set up by the Police Advisory Board for England and Wales is looking at the on-going health and fitness of serving officers and fitness levels for officers in specialist roles.
	Prison Service
	Her Majesty's Prison Service introduced a mandatory annual fitness test for all new Prison Officers joining the service after 2 April 2001. Prison Officers are required to pass this test annually for the rest of their discipline career in order to meet the Services health and safety requirements. Since its introduction there has been two changes to the test.
	Change 1: The level of the Multi Stage Fitness Test (Bleep Test) was lowered to 5.4 from 6.5
	The reason for the multistage fitness test change was based on advice taken from Loughborough University who said that the minimum level of VO2m for a PrisonOfficer was 34.7, which equated to level 6.5 on a 20-metre bleep test.
	The Prison Service work to a 15-metre bleep test andit was proven by Roehampton University that the 15-metre course is harder than the 20-metre one. The minimum level of 34.7 VO2m on a 15-metre course is achieved at level 5.4, hence the change.
	Although the level of the bleep test was lowered it is still measuring the same level of VO2m which is the minimum fitness level required of a Prison Officer joining the Prison Service after 2 April 2001.
	Change 2 : The grip test which was lowered from 28kgf to 25kgf
	The grip test was reduced due to the Prison Service changing its testing equipment with the original dyno-meter being was much more user friendly and suited a smaller hand. The change to the dyno-meters was made due to the high cost of repair (they had to be sent to America) as they worked on a hydraulic system that continually leaked.
	The new dyno-meter disadvantaged Prison Officers with a small hand and so the grip test was lowered to 25kgf to accommodate this.

Policing

Jon Cruddas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many police officers were employed in the Dagenham constituency in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) 2004.

Hazel Blears: Published information on the number of police officers in Basic Command Units (BCUs) has only been collected since March 2002 and is set out in the following table.
	
		Barking and Dagenham operational command unit
		
			 As at 31 March Number of police officers 
		
		
			 2002 301 
			 2003 360 
			 2004 384 
		
	
	I am told by the Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis that the Barking and Dagenham Operational Command Unit (OCU) had 411 police officers at the end of September 2004.
	It is not possible to separately show the number of officers in the Dagenham parliamentary constituency from the rest of the BCU. The deployment of officers in Barking and Dagenham OCU is a matter for the borough commander.

Policing

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what guidance he has issued to the police on recording attendances at disturbances in pubs and nightclubs.

Hazel Blears: Guidance on crime recording was issued by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) in 2002 in the form of the National Crime Recording Standard (NCRS). The aim of the Standard was to promote greater consistency between police forces in the recording of crime and to adopt a more victim oriented approach to crime recording. The police should record all reports of incidents, including attendance at disturbances in pubs and nightclubs, in accordance with the NCRS.
	The Standard states that all reports of incidents, whether from victims or third parties and whether crime-related or not, will result in the registration of an incident report by the police. Such an incident will subsequently be recorded as a crime if, on the balance of probability:
	(a) the circumstances as reported amount to a crime defined by law (the police will determine this, based on their knowledge of the law and counting rules); and
	(b) there is no credible evidence to the contrary.

Prisons

Rudi Vis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will list the reports on self-inflicted deaths in prisons completed by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman in the last 12 months.

Paul Goggins: In 2003–04, the Ombudsman completed reports on apparently self-inflicted deaths of prisoners in Her Majesty's Prison Styal and Her Majesty's Prison Wakefield. The completed reports on self-inflicted deaths since 1 April 2004 concern prisoners who died in Her Majesty's Prison Liverpool, Her Majesty's Prison Durham, Her Majesty's Prison Lewes, Her Majesty's Prison Holloway, Her Majesty's Prison Nottingham, Her Majesty's Prison New Hall and Her Majesty's Prison Woodhill.

Prisons

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances prison inmates are not required (a) to wear footwear and (b) to cut their toenails; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: There is no blanket requirement for prisoners to either wear footwear or cut their toenails. A rule or order requiring either will be imposed where there are good reasons for it. This will normally be where failure to wear footwear or cut toenails is assessed as presenting a risk to health and safety.
	A prisoner who refuses to comply with a rule or order requiring the wearing of footwear or the cutting of toenails in circumstances where this presents a risk to health and safety may have to be excluded from certain areas or activities within the prison establishment. Their behaviour may also constitute an offence against prison discipline.

Prisons

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has to review the intermediate estate in the Prison Service.

Paul Goggins: Intermittent Custody is one of the new sentences introduced by the 2003 Criminal Justice Act. It is designed to avoid some of the negative outcomes—loss of employment or accommodation, and family breakdown—which can accompany even relatively short periods of full-time custody. Pilots of intermittent custody began on 26 January 2004 at Kirkham Prison, in Lancashire, for male offenders and at Morton Hall Prison, in Lincolnshire, for females.
	During the 49 weeks to 2 January a total of 147 intermittent custody orders were imposed. The early results—including a high level of compliance with the orders—are very encouraging and we have decided to extend intermittent custody beyond the existing pilot sites. Planning for that expansion is already under way.
	The intermittent custody pilots are the subject of a detailed independent evaluation by a team from the Institute for Criminal Policy, based at King's College, London. Their final report will be completed in December 2005, but any emerging findings will be incorporated into the planning for the expansion of intermittent custody during the course of this year.

Prisons

Tom Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what projections he has made of the number of inmates in future large prison developments in England and Wales.

Paul Goggins: A new 840 place prison, Her Majesty's Prison Peterborough, to hold both male and female prisoners in separate units will open in March 2005. The Government are also currently considering the purchase of additional sites. The specific capacity of any prisons subsequently built at these sites is a matter yet to be decided.

Sex Abuse (Historical Cases)

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will summarise the guidance available for police forces regarding the interviewing of witnesses in historical sex abuse investigations

Hazel Blears: Guidance for police on appropriate techniques for investigating allegations of historical child abuse is included in the 'Senior Investigating Officer's Handbook—the Investigation of Historical/Institutional Child Abuse' produced by the Association of Chief Police Officers.
	Guidance on interviewing vulnerable or intimidated witnesses (VIWs) is contained in 'Achieving Best Evidence in Criminal Proceedings: Guidance for Vulnerable or Intimidated Witnesses, including Children' issued in January 2002. This guidance became operational in May 2002 when it superseded Memorandum of Good Practice on Video Recorded Interviews with Child Witnesses for Criminal Proceedings". Victims in sexual offence proceedings are considered to be intimidated. Other witnesses in these cases—but not the accused—may also be treated as vulnerable or intimidated.
	Achieving Best Evidence covers preparing and planning for interviews with VIWs, decisions about whether or not to conduct an interview and decisions about whether the interview should be video recorded or whether it would be more appropriate for a written statement to be taken. It covers the interviewing of such witnesses both for the purposes of making a video-recorded statement and also for taking a written statement, their preparation for court and any subsequent court appearance.
	Other guidance includes: 'Guidance on the Recording of Interviews with Vulnerable and Significant (Key) Witnesses' issued by the Association of Chief Police Officers; and 'Complex Child Abuse Investigations: Inter-agency issues' issued jointly by the Home Office and Department of Health.

Sex Offenders

Bob Russell: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether a member of Her Majesty's Armed Forces convicted by a court martial of a sexual offence has his or her name placed on the sex offenders register.

Paul Goggins: Section 137 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 provides that the notification requirements of Part 2 of that Act (often known as the sex offenders register) apply to convictions for relevant sexual offences received in service courts as well as civilian courts.
	The Sexual Offences Act 2003 has introduced a new civil preventative order; the sexual offences prevention order (SOPO). SOPOs can be made by service courts at the time of sentencing for a relevant sexual or violent offence where it is considered necessary to protect the public from serious sexual harm. SOPOs impose prohibitions on the offender and make him subject to the notification requirements for the duration of the order. Essentially this means that violent offenders who pose a risk of serious sexual harm can be made to sign on the sex offenders register.

Sex Offenders

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many sex offenders are held in prisons within 50 miles of their home.

Paul Goggins: As at 31 October 2004 (the latest date for which these figures are available), 2,375 of the prisoners convicted of sex offences were held within 50miles of their home address 1 .
	1 A prisoner's home area is defined as their home address on reception into prison. For prisoners with no address, the address of the relevant committal court is used as the home address.
	In measuring the number of prisoners held under 50 miles from their home area, around 5 per cent. of the sex offenders are not included as they have no home or court addresses.

Southend Basic Command Unit

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) trained police officers and (b) special constables there are in the Southend Basic Command Unit.

Hazel Blears: Information on the number of officers in each Basic Command Unit (BCU) is provided annually (31 March) by each police force. As at 31 March 2004 there were 278 regular officers and 52 Special Constables in Southend BCU.
	All officers receive full training for the duties they undertake.

Special Constables

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what form of body protection is provided for special constables.

Hazel Blears: The decision whether to issue protective vests or other types of body armour to special constables is a matter for the chief constable. These decisions are informed by risk assessments of the operational deployment of special constables. While some police forces still issue from a central pool, others provide personal issue.
	Aside from any generic risk assessments undertaken, forces need to make specific local risk assessments whenever appropriate, particularly if they do not have a policy stating that protective vests or other types of body armour must be worn.

Special Constables

Adrian Bailey: To ask the Secretary of State for theHome Department how many special constables have been injured in the line of duty since 1 January 2001.

Hazel Blears: Information on the outcome of assaults on special constables has been collected centrally since 1 April 2002. For the period 1 April 2002 to 31 March 2004, there were 318 assaults on special constables which resulted in seven of them being seriously injured. The remaining 311 special constables suffered minor or no injury.
	Serious injuries are defined as those resulting from assaults for which the charge would be under Sections 18 and 20 of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861.

Stephen Lawrence Inquiry

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he will publish the transcript of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry.

Hazel Blears: The department will not be publishing the papers from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. The papers received by the inquiry and their own records amount to more than 80,000 pages. The department is currently in the midst of reviewing and appraising the inquiry records prior to their transfer to The National Archives (TNA) where they can be made available for public inspection. This is a huge task and one that needs to be carried out with due sensitivity for the people involved. The current review schedule anticipates the inquiry transcripts being transferred to TNA in March 2005.

Video Evidence

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department in what circumstances a prisoner who is scheduled to make a court appearance by video link from prison can refuse to appear (a) generally, (b) on the grounds the individual cannot walk to the video conference facilities and (c) on the grounds that the individual has refused or failed to cut his toenails, preventing him from walking; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: There is no provision for an accused to attend his or her trial by live link from prison. Section 57 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 makes provision for pre-trial hearings to be conducted by live link. By virtue of this section, where a particular pre-trial hearing takes place by live link, the accused is to be treated as being present in court for it. A particular pre-trial hearing may only be conducted by live link where the court, after hearing representations from the parties, directs it. A party is accordingly free to object to the hearing taking place. The decision as to whether to proceed, or not to proceed with a pre-trial hearing by live link in the case of an accused who objects to it, for whatever reason, is a matter for the discretion of the court.

Youth Custody

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what fees are paid by the Youth Justice Board for a bed in a (a) local authority secure unit, (b) youth treatment centre and (c) young offenders institution.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 19 January 2005
	The juvenile secure estate comprises: young offender institutions run by the Prison Service; privately-operated secure training centres; and places purchased in local authority secure children's homes. The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales commission and purchase the places. They estimate the average annual costs per place to be:
	
		
			  £000 
		
		
			 Young offender institution: 50,800 
			 Secure training centre: (10)164,750 
			 Local authority secure children's home: 185,780 
		
	
	(10) Includes Value Added Tax

Youth Custody

Hilton Dawson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the standard staff to child ratio is in (a) local authority secure units, (b) secure treatment centres and (c) young offenders institutions.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 19 January 2005
	It is not possible to specify standard ratios because of the many variables involved. Examples of the variation in ranges are given as follows:
	In local authority secure children's homes, between one member of staff to two children and six staff to eight children.
	In secure training centres (STCs), between two staff to five to seven children and three staff to eight children. There are also custody officers on site to cover admissions, movements and supervision of visits.
	In juvenile young offender institutions (YOls) three to six staff to between 40 and 60 children on the wings; plus establishment reception, healthcare, instructional and education staff and personal and resettlement officers .

WORK AND PENSIONS

Departmental Expenditure

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department spent on (a) indoor bought plants, (b) indoor hired plants, (c) outdoor bought plants and (d) outdoor hired plants in each year since 1997.

Maria Eagle: The information is not collected separately from other expenditure figures.

Departmental Staff

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of his Department's staff is based in London.

Maria Eagle: Information on regional distribution of staff is available in the Library and also at:
	http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/management_information/ statistical_information/statistics/contents_for_civil_service_statistics_2003_report/index.asp
	Table D shows the numbers of staff by regional distribution.
	Figures relating to 1 April 2004 are due to be published during February 2005.

Disability Benefit

Paul Holmes: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 6 December 2004, Official Report, columns 370–2W, on disability benefits, how many appellants who were originally in receipt of the lower rate have been awarded the higher rate mobility component of the disability living allowance after appealing against decisions made regarding the award of this benefit; and if he will make a statement.

Maria Eagle: This is a matter for Christina Townsend, Chief Executive of the Appeals Service. She will write to the hon. Member.
	Letter from Christina Townsend to Paul Holmes dated 25 January 2005
	The Secretary of State has asked me to respond to your question pursuant to his answer of 6 December 2004 Official Report columns 370–2W on disability benefits regarding how many appellants who were originally in receipt of the lower rate have been awarded the higher rate mobility component of Disability Living Allowance after appealing against decisions made regarding the award of this benefit; and if he will make a statement.
	The information you require is not available in the format requested as information on Disability Living Allowance appeals is only recorded by the number of appeals and the actual success rate of those appeals.
	Table 1, however, gives details of the number of Disability Living Allowance claimants whilst table 2 shows the total number of appeals received and their overall outcome.
	
		Table 1: All disability living allowance claimants as at31 August 2004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 DLA caseload for all components 2,634.3 
			 Higher rate mobility only 460.6 
			 Lower rate mobility only 99.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures are in thousands and rounded to the nearest hundred.
	2. Figures taken from a 5 per cent. sample at 31 August 2004.
	3. From November 2002, the methodology for producing these figures was changed to allow statistics to be published much sooner. This has resulted in a small increase in the reported caseload. This is because some cases which have actually terminated but have not yet been updated on the computer system are now included.
	
		Table 2: Disability living allowance mobility appeals received, cleared at hearing and outcome at Tribunal for the period September 2003 to August 2004
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 Received 4,395 
			 Cleared at hearing 3,550 
			 Cleared in favour of appellant 1,705 
			 Cleared in favour of appellant (percentage) 48.03 
			 Cleared against appellant 15 
			 Cleared against appellant (percentage) 0.37 
			 Original decision upheld 1,775 
			 Original decision upheld (percentage) 49.97 
			 Cleared others 60 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are subject to change as more up to date data becomes available.
	2. Figures for the latest months may rise significantly as information feeds through to the Appeals Service.
	3. Figures are rounded to the nearest five and percentages to one decimal place.
	4. Cleared against appellant are appeals where the resulting outcome has made the appellant worse off than before the appeal.
	5. Original decision upheld—the original decision with regard to the benefit application has been upheld, therefore the appeal has been unsuccessful.
	Source:
	IAD Information Centre, 100 per cent. sample

E-mails

Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on his Department's policy regarding the retention of e-mails in electronic form (a) after and (b) up to 1 January 2005; and what instructions have been given regarding the deletion of e-mails prior to 1 January 2005.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the written answers I gave the hon. Member for Guildford, (Sue Doughty) on 21 December 2004 Official Report colums 1727–1728W and 10 January 2005, Official Report column 111W.

Glasgow Pension Centre

Mohammad Sarwar: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions he has had with representatives from the Public and Commercial Services union on the future of the Glasgow pension centre.

Malcolm Wicks: My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State has regular meetings with PCS officials to discuss and listen to their views and concerns about a wide range of issues facing the Department, including the efficiency challenge. These are generally national issues and therefore, do not focus on individual centres.
	However, since January 2004, The Pension Service has held regular meetings with their Pensions Trade Union Representatives to consult and share information on The Pension Service transformation programme. The criteria for selecting sites that would form the future pension service organisation, and the outcome for London Pension Centre (Glasgow), has been included as part of this dialogue.

Newspapers/Periodicals

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list the (a) newspapers and (b) periodicals taken by his Department in each year since 1997; and how much the Department spent on each in each year.

Maria Eagle: DWP was formed in June 2001 from the former Department of Social Security and parts of the former Department for Education and Employment, including the Employment Service. Information for the periods prior to June 2001 is not available.
	Information on the amount spent in each financial year from 2001 onwards is in the following table.
	
		£
		
			 Financial year Newspaper spend Periodical spend 
		
		
			 2001–2002 24,757.96 228,207.11 
			 2002–2003 (11)—; 314,328.85 
			 2003–2004 (11)—; 266,764.89 
		
	
	(11) Included in periodical spend
	A list of newspapers and periodicals purchased in financial year 2003–04 has been placed in the Library. Information on titles purchased prior to 2003–04 is not available.

Parking Spaces

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many car parking spaces are provided for those working in and visiting his Department.

Maria Eagle: The Department for Work and Pensions occupies approximately 1,800 properties. Latest figures show that the total number of parking spaces available at buildings occupied by DWP staff is 35,428.
	Where there is joint occupancy of properties, spaces are generally available to other occupants. Information on spaces designated specifically for DWP staff or visitors is not collected centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.

Pension Credit

Oona King: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in (a) London and (b) Tower Hamlets are in receipt of the savings element of pension credit; what the average award is for each; and what proportion those figures represent of (i) the total number of pensioners and (ii) his estimate of the total number of eligible pensioners in each area.

Malcolm Wicks: Information on the number of recipients of the savings element of pension credit in the London Government Office Region (GOR) and in Tower Hamlets at 31 October 2004 is given in the following table. The average award of the savings element in the London GOR at the end of August 2004, the latest date for which this figure is available, was £8.01. The average award in Tower Hamlets at the same date was £8.26. Eligibility estimates for the individual elements of pension credit are not available for either GORs or local authority areas.
	
		Recipients of savings element of pension credit, London GOR and Tower Hamlets, 31 October 2004
		
			  Households Individual recipients Individual recipients as a percentage of total population aged 60 or over 
		
		
			 London GOR 137,230 159,885 13.7 
			 Tower Hamlets 4,135 4,865 20.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Numbers of recipients are rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Individual recipients include a small number of partners under age 60.
	3. The numbers of households and individuals in receipt of the savings element include those who were receiving the savings element only and those who were receiving both the savings and guarantee elements.
	4. Pension credit figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of pension credit. As Parliament was told in the statement accompanying the last such report, data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice.
	5. Numbers of people aged 60 or over are based on the mid-2003 population estimates for England and Wales.
	6. Average awards are based on a 5 per cent. sample as at August 2004. These figures are subject to a degree of sampling variation.

Pension Credit

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what steps he is taking to increase the take-up of pension credit.

Malcolm Wicks: The Pension Service continues to devote considerable effort and resources to increasing levels of Pension Credit take-up. We have already written at least once to every pensioner household in the country to tell them about Pension Credit and encourage them to apply. We are re-contacting directly, by mail, telephone or personal visit, those people whom we believe particularly likely to be eligible. New, targeted marketing campaigns have been developed which seek to overcome the barriers which might prevent take-up of Pension Credit and the reasons which people give for not applying, and further national television advertising began on 17 January. The Pension Service Local Service continues to work in partnership with local authorities and the voluntary sector, particularly in identifying and contacting older people who are vulnerable or who have yet to take up their entitlement

Pension Credit

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  what proportion of pensioners in Stoke-on-Trent are in receipt of pension credit;
	(2)  how many pensioners in Stoke-on-Trent are in receipt of pension credit.

Malcolm Wicks: At 31 October 2004, 13,880 pensioner households in Stoke-on-Trent, comprising 16,970 individuals, were in receipt of pension credit. The number of individual recipients represented approximately 34 per cent. of the total population aged 60 or over in Stoke-on-Trent.
	Notes
	1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five.
	2. Individual recipients include a small number of partners under age 60.
	3. Pension credit figures are available for 31 October 2004 as the final output of processes that were put in place to deliver special monthly reporting during the first year of the roll-out of pension credit. As Parliament was told in the statement accompanying the last such report, data will in future be available on a quarterly basis, in line with standard departmental practice.
	4. Numbers of people aged 60 or over are based on the mid-2003 population estimates for England and Wales.

Pensions

Steve Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to the answer of 17 January 2005, Official Report, column 777W, on pensions, what the percentage rates of contracted-out rebates for appropriate personal pensions are for (a) 2002–03 and (b) 2004–05 for a person aged (i) 40 and (ii) 50 years; and if he will make a statement.

Malcolm Wicks: The information is in the table:
	
		Percentage rates of contracted-out rebates for appropriate personal pensions -- Percentage
		
			 Annual Earnings Bands Age 40 Age 50 
		
		
			 2002–2003   
			 3,900 to 10,800 10.80 19.80 
			 10,801 to 24,600 2.70 4.95 
			 24,601 to 29,900 5.40 9.90 
			
			 2003–2004   
			 4,004 to 11,200 10.60 17.80 
			 11,201 to 25,600 2.65 4.45 
			 25,601 to 30,940 5.30 8.9 
		
	
	Note:
	Contracted-out rebates for appropriate personal pensions are set at a level intended to reflect the value of the SERPS/State Second Pension benefit given up. SERPS was introduced in 1978 and so affected employed earners born in 1962 or later(i.e. those aged 40 in 2002–03. So, for those born before 1962, successively younger people have a lower SERPS/state second pension accrual rate. As a result, although the rebate for any one individual increases year on year until the cap bites, someone aged 46 in 2003–04 would have received a lower rebate rate in that year than someone aged 46 received in the preceding tax year.
	This information is set out in the Government Actuary's rebate consultation document for the last review of the rebates which set the rates for the period 2002- 03 to 2006–07. Also the report to Parliament when the rebate orders were laid, Cm 5076, particularly the table on page 12. These are available on the Government Actuary Department's (GAD) website.

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many complaints were made by departmental civil servants regarding the conduct of special advisers between 31 March 2003 and 31 March 2004.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the answer provided on 8 December 2004, Official Report, column 578W by the former Minister for the Cabinet Office (Ruth Kelly).

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 
	(1)  whether departmental special advisers have been responsible for authorising instances of departmental spending since May 1997;
	(2)  whether departmental special advisers have given instructions to permanent civil servants without the explicit authorisation of Ministers since May 1997.

Maria Eagle: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 16 December 2004, Official Report, column 1258–59W by Minister of State for Cabinet Office, Mr.David Miliband.

Winter Fuel Payments

John Thurso: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 21 December 2004, Official Report, column 1746W, on winter fuel payments, how many married (a) women and (b) men in Scotland he estimates will reach the age of 60 years after the qualifying week for winter fuel payments eligibility but before 25 December.

Malcolm Wicks: It is estimated that around 6,000 married women and 6,000 married men in Scotland will reach the age of 60 after the qualifying week but before 25 December.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Appleby Health Review

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the remit is of the Appleby Health Review.

Angela Smith: Professor Appleby has agreed to conduct a review of health and social care provision in Northern Ireland, to consider and make recommendations in the following areas:
	The current position in levels of demand in relation to levels of funding available;
	The demands of the population for heath and social services in NI, taking account of its distinctive characteristics, in terms of long term and sustainable resourcing;
	Technological, demographic, medical and other trends over the next two decades that may have implications for the future resource needs of the public sector in NI, consistent, where possible, with the approach adopted in the Wanless Review;
	The extent to which resources are being used effectively and efficiently and, if there is evidence of sub-optimal resource utilisation, the issues which are impairing the most efficient and effective use of resources;
	The scope for a more effective use of resources (human, revenue and capital) to bring about a significant improvement in access to, and quality of, services in the HPSS and specifically the optimum balance between prevention, community- based care and acute hospital care;
	Ways in which the interaction between the health and social care systems can be improved to maximise performance and the use of resources;
	The effectiveness of the organisational and incentive structures, decision-making and accountability processes in health and social care in NI;
	Further measures to improve health and wellbeing, which can reduce the demand for health and social services.

Child Psychiatry

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry in each of the health board areas in the Province are providing a full-time out-of-hours service.

Angela Smith: Information requested is provided in the following table.
	
		Number of consultants in child and adolescent psychiatry providing a full-time out-of-hours commitment by health and social services board
		
			 Area Headcount 
		
		
			 NHSSB 2 
			 SHSSB 0 
			 EHSSB 5 
			 WHSSB 0 
			 Total 7 
		
	
	Source:
	NI Health and Social Services Trusts

Chlamydia Screening Programme

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the working group to consider the introduction of a chlamydia screening programme.

Angela Smith: The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety's Chlamydia Testing Group had its first meeting on 6 December 2004. The group's remit is to develop policy and an approach to introducing an opportunistic testing programme for Chlamydia in Northern Ireland. The group is assessing potential settings for testing, the necessary laboratory arrangements to deal with increased numbers of samples, the impact on existing GUM services and a phased approach or roll out. A prevalence survey is also being considered.

Community Care Packages

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total cost of community care packages in the Province has been in each of the last 10years.

Angela Smith: The combined gross Health and Personal Social Services (HPSS) expenditure on domiciliary care, residential homes and nursing homes over the past four years, is as shown in the following table. Information on a comparable basis is not available for earlier years.
	
		
			  £ 
		
		
			 2000–01 289,700,654 
			 2001–02 314,212,537 
			 2002–03 389,059,551 
			 2003–04 417,428,318 
		
	
	This does not represent the cost to the HPSS of providing such services, because client contributions have not been netted off. For example, client contributions defrayed £80 million of the above 2002–03 costs. Client contributions for other years are not available.

Craigavon Maternity Unit

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the operation of the midwife-led maternity unit at Craigavon.

Angela Smith: Due to high levels of sick absence among midwifery staff, Craigavon Area Hospital Group Trust has recently had to temporarily redeploy some of the midwife-led Unit's staff to cover shifts in the ante-natal/post natal wards, delivery suite and admissions and assessment unit within the Maternity Unit.
	While this temporary arrangement and its short-term effect on the Midwife-led Unit are regrettable, it has been necessary in order to ensure that a safe service is provided across all the Trust's maternity services.

Dementia

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the costs that would be incurred by providing free nursing and personal care to those in the Province with dementia.

Angela Smith: Nursing care is already provided free of charge to patients in hospital and people in their own homes. In addition, in October 2002 the Northern Ireland Executive introduced a £100 per week contribution towards the cost of nursing care in nursing homes. The cost of nursing care for people with dementia has not been calculated.
	No estimate is available of the costs that would be incurred by providing free personal care to people with dementia.

Digital Hearing Aids

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many new patients received digital hearing aids in the Province in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004; and how many new patients he expects to receive such aids in 2005.

Angela Smith: (a) Information on the numbers of persons provided with digital hearing aids is not available for the 2003 calendar year. However, during the period from October 2003 to the end of January 2004, a pilot monitoring programme was put in place, it recorded that approximately 2,000 persons were provided with digital hearing aids during this period.
	(b) With regard to 2004, the Department's target for 2004–05 states that Boards and Trusts should provide the necessary additional staff and digital hearing aids to provide for an efficient and modern audiology service, supplying 5,000 digital hearing aids per annum by 31 March 2005." Boards and Trusts have indicated that this will be achieved. A similar level of service can be expected in 2005–06.

Domiciliary Care

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average cost is of a (a) residential, (b) nursing home and (c) domiciliary community care package in the Province.

Angela Smith: An average residential home package costs £25,500 per year and a nursing home package costs £22,600 per year, based on the annualised weekly cost. domiciliary care costs £10 per hour delivered. These are average costs based on packages provided to a wide range of clients with differing care needs.

Drugs Bill

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for the Home Department regarding the extension of the Drugs Bill to Northern Ireland; and if he will make a statement.

John Spellar: I have sought and obtained approval for the extension to Northern Ireland of the following provisions in the Drugs Bill:
	The ability for a court to draw adverse inferences from a refusal to consent to an intimate drugs search;
	The extension of the power to detain persons suspected of swallowing drugs;
	Amendment to the offence of possession with intent to supply controlled drugs so that intent is presumed if the amount of drugs held by the person exceeds a certain threshold;
	Creation of aggravating circumstances in which a dealer will face an enhanced sentence—such as dealing near a school or using young persons as couriers; and
	Clarifying the law about magic mushrooms by making it a specific offence to possess with intent to supply, to supply, produce or import hallucinogenic mushrooms.
	The Bill was introduced in the House on 16 December 2004.

EU Environmental Directives

Eddie McGrady: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 9 December 2004, Official Report, column 784W, on Article 226 Reasoned Opinion proceedings, what the cause of the infraction proceedings was in each case.

Angela Smith: The following list sets out the EU directives that are subject to Article 226 Reasoned Opinion proceedings or beyond and the cause of the infraction in each case.
	
		
			 Directive number Directive title Cause of Infraction 
		
		
			 1975/439/EC Waste Oils Implementation issue 
			 1975/442/EC Waste Framework Transposition issue 
			 1976/160/EC Bathing Water Implementation issue 
			 1978/659/EC Quality of Fresh Water to Support Fish Implementation issue 
			 1979/923/EC(12) Shellfish Waters Implementation issue 
			 1991/271/EC Urban Waste Water Treatment (two cases) (As of 22 December 2004 a further case is now at Reasoned Opinion Stage) Implementation issues 
			 1991/276/EC Nitrates from Agricultural Sources Implementation issue 
			 1991/689/EC Hazardous Waste Transposition issue 
			 1997/11/EC Environmental Impact Assessment Late transposition 
			 1998/83/EC Drinking Water Quality Late transposition 
			 2000/53/EC End of Life Vehicles Transposition issue 
		
	
	(12) Shellfish Waters—this case is at Article 226 and not Article 226 Reasoned Opinion as previously notified. The case has been dormant for a considerable period of time.
	Note:
	Two of the above cases are now closed i.e. Nitrates from Agricultural Sources and Drinking Water Quality.

GCSE Qualifications

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the GCSE point scores for all school types in Northern Ireland excluding GNVQ Part 1 qualifications and GCSE short courses have been in each year since 2000.

Barry Gardiner: I refer the hon. Lady to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Lagan Valley (Mr.Donaldson) on 19 January 2005, Official Report, column 973W.

Genito-urinary Medicine Services

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the number of individuals in Northern Ireland awaiting assessment by genito-urinary medicine services.

Angela Smith: I refer the hon. Lady to the answer I gave on 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 245W, question reference 205992.

Grammar Schools

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how many pupils are enrolled in grammar schools in Northern Ireland; and how many were so enrolled in 2002–03.

Barry Gardiner: The number of pupils enrolled at grammar schools in Northern Ireland in 2002–03 was 63,102; in 2004–05 it is 63,364. These figures exclude pupils in preparatory departments.

Hearing Impairment Services

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what monitoring controls are in place to assess quality of Government service delivery to deaf and hard of hearing people in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: All 11 departments of the Northern Ireland Administration and the Northern Ireland Office have been issued with guidance on making information and events accessible, including to people who are deaf and hard of hearing. Some of these departments are working with the Royal National Institute for the Deaf to ensure that customer services are accessible.
	In addition, the Department of Finance and Personnel is taking forward a work programme to ensure Government Buildings meet the needs of those with any form of disability, including those who are deaf or are hard of hearing. Departments in Northern Ireland, led by the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, have been working in partnership with representatives of the deaf community to address important sign language issues, including best practice for the Northern Ireland civil service.
	Further work will be taken forward by an inter departmental, inter sectoral group which has been established to address issues around barriers to participation experienced by people with disabilities, including access to services. Part of this work will involve a survey of people with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

Hearing Impairment Services

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what communication training other than deaf awareness training to communicate with those who are deaf or hard of hearing has been undertaken by each Northern Ireland Office department in the last 12 months.

John Spellar: In the last 12 months Northern Ireland Departments have delivered the following communication training—'An Introduction to Sign Language' to 33 trainees, 'Sign Language Bridging Course' to one trainee, 'Sign Language Level 1' to four trainees and Text Phone Training" to seven trainees.

Hip Replacements

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the latest estimate is of the cost of carrying out a hip replacement operation on the NHS in Northern Ireland; and how many people are waiting for a hip replacement operation in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: An average hip replacement operation cost £5,400 in 2003–04.
	Waiting list information is not collected at procedure level, only at specialty level. At 30 September 2004, there were 5,668 patients awaiting admission to hospital in Northern Ireland in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty.

HIV Infection

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in Northern Ireland have been diagnosed with HIV in (a) 2004 and (b) each of the 10 preceding years; and if he will make a statement on steps to limit the spread of HIV infection in the Province.

Angela Smith: The figures requested are as follows:
	
		
			  Number diagnosed with HIV 
		
		
			 1993 12 
			 1994 14 
			 1995 12 
			 1996 16 
			 1997 9 
			 1998 9 
			 1000 14 
			 2000 19 
			 2001 20 
			 2002 26 
			 2003 32 
			 2004(13) 31 
		
	
	(13) Figure for this year represents the first three quarters of the year (until September 2004). This figure is provisional and is liable to change as further reports for this period are received.
	Note:
	Figures for new diagnoses of HIV infection relate to first UK diagnoses. Thus figures for Northern Ireland report cases whose first diagnosis of HIV in the UK was made in Northern Ireland
	Source:
	Health Protection Agency
	All sexual health promotion work undertaken by Health and Social services Boards and Trusts and the Health Promotion Agency includes the prevention and spread of HIV infection. In October last year the Department hosted a major conference to increase awareness of sexually transmitted infections and is presently preparing a sexual health promotion strategy and action plan which includes HIV prevention and will be issued before the summer. In addition the Department funds a number of voluntary organisations working in the HIV prevention field.

Hospital Cleaners

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many cleaners in hospitals in Northern Ireland are employed by (a) the NHS and(b) private contractors providing services to the NHS.

Angela Smith: Information requested is as follows.
	
		Number of domestic cleaning staff in hospitals in Northern Ireland employed by the NHS
		
			 Hospital Headcount Whole time equivalent 
		
		
			 Ards Hospital 27 11.96 
			 Antrim Area Hospital 287 171.54 
			 Bangor Hospital 8 4.78 
			 Belfast City Hospital 204 40.41 
			 Causeway Hospital 75 38.88 
			 Daisy Hill Hospital 66 36.45 
			 Dalriada Hospital 10 5.91 
			 Downe Hospital 18 14.93 
			 Downshire Hospital 38 25.48 
			 Holywell Hospital 69 49.57 
			 Lagan Valley Hospital 59 39.15 
			 Longstone 46 21.19 
			 Mater Hospital 100 71.00 
			 Muckamore Hospital 80 56.00 
			 Mullinure 13 9.89 
			 Purdysburn Hospital 83 54.34 
			 Robinson Hospital 5 3.10 
			 Royal Hospital 511 323.73 
			 South Tyrone 20 11.83 
			 St. Lukes 48 27.22 
			 Thompson House Hospital 7 3.39 
			 Tyrone and Fermanagh Hospital 54 33.20 
			 Ulster Hospital 300 97.34 
			 Whiteabbey Hospital 3 2.07 
			 Total 2,131 1,153.36 
		
	
	Source:
	NI HSS Trusts
	
		Number of domestic cleaning staff in hospitals in Northern Ireland employed by private contractors providing services to the NHS
		
			 Hospital Headcount Whole time equivalent 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin Area Hospital 101 69.65 
			 Banbridge Polyclinic 1 0.87 
			 Craigavon Area Hospital 157 76.00 
			 Erne Hospital 74 40.57 
			 Forster Green Hospital 24 20.66 
			 Gransha Hospital 39 25.50 
			 Lurgan Hospital 18 8.17 
			 Musgrave Park Hospital 124 81.15 
			 Stradreagh Hospital 7 4.80 
			 Tyrone County Hospital 48 26.50 
			 Waterside Hospital 12 9.30 
			 Total 605 363.17 
		
	
	Source:
	NI HSS Trusts

Influenza

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the take-up rate for influenza vaccination was in each area in the Province in each of the last five years.

Angela Smith: Information on the take-up rate for influenza vaccination in each Health and Social Service Board area in each of the last five years is detailed in the following table.
	
		Percentage
		
			 Board area Uptake in over 65s Uptake in under 65s 'at risk' 
		
		
			 2000–01   
			 EHSSB 67.1 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			 NHSSB 70.5 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			 SHSSB 66.6 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			 WHSSB 70.6 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			
			 2001–02   
			 EHSSB 70.3 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			 NHSSB 73.2 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			 SHSSB 72.4 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			 WHSSB 71.9 No requirement to monitor uptake 
			
			 2002–03   
			 EHSSB 71.5 53.8 
			 NHSSB 73.6 58.1 
			 SHSSB 71.8 51.6 
			 WHSSB 72.1 61.6 
			
			 2003–04   
			 EHSSB 73.0 62.6 
			 NHSSB 73.8 65.1 
			 SHSSB 72.8 61.2 
			 WHSSB 74.7 67.4 
			
			 2004–051   
			 EHSSB 63.9 53.6 
			 NHSSB 69.7 63.1 
			 SHSSB 69.2 57.3 
			 WHSSB 68.1 60.0 
		
	
	(14) The figures for 2004–05 only included those vaccinated up to the end of November 2004. The vaccination campaign does not end until 31 January 2005. Final 2004–05 influenza vaccination uptake figures will not be available before the beginning of April 2005.
	Source:
	Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre (NI)

Royal Mail

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the community balance of the workforce at the main postal sorting office at Mallusk, Co. Antrim was on the latest date for which figures are available;
	(2)  what the policy of Royal Mail is with regard to under-represented groups in its work force in Northern Ireland;
	(3)  whether Royal Mail (a) is taking and (b) has taken affirmative action to redress community imbalance in its work force in Northern Ireland;
	(4)  whether Royal Mail reports on the community balance in the travel-to-work area for each of its sites in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: I have asked the Chief Executive of the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland to write to the hon. Gentleman.

Neurosurgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in the Province are awaiting (a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment in neurosurgery.

Angela Smith: The most recent waiting list data available shows the position at 30 September 2004.
	In Northern Ireland, there were 483 patients awaiting admission to hospital in the neurosurgery specialty and 477 patients were awaiting a first outpatient appointment in the neurosurgery specialty.

New Deal

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what percentage of people in Northern Ireland leaving (a) the New Deal for Young People and (b) the New Deal for over-25s in each year since its inception have entered unsubsidised, sustained jobs.

Barry Gardiner: The percentage of people in Northern Ireland leaving (a) the New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds and (b) New Deal 25 + in each year since their inception and entering unsubsidised, sustained jobs is as follows:
	
		Percentage
		
			  New Deal for 18 to 24-year-olds  New Deal 25 + 
		
		
			 1998–99 37 23 
			 1999–2000 36 23 
			 2000–01 30 18 
			 2001–02 28 17 
			 2002–03 24 14 
			 2003–04 22 16

Obesity

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the level of obesity-related illness in the Province; and what the level was (a) 10 and (b) 20 years ago.

Angela Smith: The information requested is not available.

Orthopaedic Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the longest period is that individuals from each of the Province's health boards have been waiting for (a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment in orthopaedic surgery.

Angela Smith: Information obtained from the Health and Social Services Trusts in Northern Ireland regarding the longest period a patient is waiting for inpatient admission and initial outpatient assessment in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty, at 31 December 2004, is shown in the tables.
	
		Longest period (in days) an individual was waiting for inpatient admission by board of residence at 31 December 2004
		
			 Board of residence Longest wait in days 
		
		
			 Eastern 2,495 
			 Northern 2,111 
			 Souhern 2,209 
			 Western 1,240 
		
	
	
		Longest period (in days) an individual was waiting for initial outpatient assessment by board of residence at 31 December 2004
		
			 Board of residence Longest wait in days 
		
		
			 Eastern 2,254 
			 Northern 1,989 
			 Souhern 1,888 
			 Western 1,895

Orthopaedic Surgery

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many individuals in the Province are awaiting (a) inpatient admission and (b) initial outpatient assessment in orthopaedic surgery.

Angela Smith: The most recent waiting list data available shows the position at 30 September 2004.
	In Northern Ireland, there were 5,688 patients awaiting admission to hospital in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty and 22,747 patients were awaiting a first outpatient appointment in the trauma and orthopaedics specialty

Police Reserve

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many full-time reserve constables in the police service of Northern Ireland are on annual extension contracts; and what terms they will be offered under the downsizing arrangements for the full-time reserve.

Paul Murphy: At present, 100 full-time reserve constables in the police service of Northern Ireland are on annual extensions to their contracts.
	All full-time reserve officers in service up to the point at which they leave under the downsizing arrangements will be eligible to avail of the terms of the FTR Severance Scheme, including the comprehensive re-training and support services on offer. The specific benefits available to all FTR officers, including those on annual extensions, are dependent on each officer's individual circumstances.

Road Signs (Fermanagh)

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much was spent by the Department for Regional Development in County Fermanagh on replacing road signs that have been destroyed by graffiti or other defacing between September and December in (a) 2003 and (b) 2004.

John Spellar: The Chief Executive of Roads Service (Dr. Malcolm McKibbin) has been asked to write to the hon. Member in response to this question.
	Letter from Dr. Malcolm McKibbin to Mr. Donaldson, dated 25 January 2005
	You recently asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland a Parliamentary Question regarding how much was spent by the Department for Regional Development in County Fermanagh on replacing road signs that have been destroyed by graffiti or other defacing between September and December in (a) 2003 and (b)2004 (210881) I have been asked to reply as this issue falls within my responsibility as Chief Executive of Roads Service.
	While we do keep records of the costs of replacing roads signs in County Fermanagh, our records do not differentiate between signs that were replaced as a result of normal wear and tear, traffic accidents or graffiti. In addition, we record the costs of the removal of graffiti from road signs. The costs recorded for the periods you asked about, are detailed as follows.
	
		£
		
			 Period Graffiti removal Replacement 
		
		
			 September to December 2003 1,150 720 
			 September to December 2004 1,850 550 
		
	
	I hope this information is helpful.

Saville Inquiry

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland 
	(1)  what the total cost to the public purse of the Saville Inquiry into events in Londonderry in January 1972 has been, broken down by (a) legal fees, (b) accommodation, (c) transportation, (d) provision of IT equipment and (e) hiring of venues;
	(2)  when he will answer questions with reference numbers 206059 and 206060, on the Saville Inquiry, tabled on 15 December 2004.

John Spellar: On the figures available at the end of December 2004 the total cost of the Bloody Sunday Inquiry was £154 million. Breaking this down into the categories requested gives the following figures:
	
		£ million
		
			  NIO MOD 
		
		
			 (a) legal fees 51.430 29.381 
			 (b) accommodation 11.037 0.488 
			 (c) transportation 3.091 — 
			 (d) provision of IT equipment 12.769 — 
			 (e) hiring of halls 8.02 — 
			 (f) other (15)34.99 (16)2.351 
		
	
	(15) For the NIO this figure includes salary costs of tribunal members (except Lord Saville) and inquiry staff, witness expenses, expert witnesses, office services and security, telecommunications and other miscellaneous office expenditure.
	(16) For the MOD this figure includes inquiry related staff and support costs, a police investigation and other miscellaneous fees and expenses.

Saville Inquiry

Gregory Campbell: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the total legal costs have been of each participating legal team and person involved in the Saville Inquiry.

John Spellar: The following table provides details of the payments made by the Northern Ireland Office to each of the legal firms involved in the Bloody Sunday Inquiry. These payments include VAT and other disbursements where appropriate and so do not necessarily represent the amounts received by individuals.
	
		
			  Payments Period covered 
			  made (£) From: To: 
		
		
			 Counsel for the inquiry
			 Christopher Clarke 4,418,713 February 1998 January 2005 
			 Jacob Grierson 394,879 July 1998 December 2000(17) 
			 Alan Roxburgh 1,803,368 May 1998 October 2004 
			 Cathryn McGahey 1,360,555 June 2000 October 2004 
			 Bilal Rawat 1,251,947 June 2000 February 2004 
			 
			 Solicitors employed for the taking of witness statements 
			 Eversheds 12,609,388 June 1998 August 2003 
			 
			 Senior counsel representing the families 
			 Lord Gifford 718,830 October 1998 May 2004 
			 Arthur Harvey 1,226,257 July 1998 March 2004 
			 Michael Lavery 549,879 November 2000 May 2004 
			 Barry J. McDonald 735,440 September 1998 July 2002(18) 
			 P. T. MacDonald 65,800 April 1998 June 1999(19) 
			 Michael Mansfield 682,378 March 1999 February 2004 
			 Eilish McDermott 105,309 March 2000 June 2001 
			 Seamus Treacy 951,140 March 1998 March 2004(20) 
			 Eoin McGonigal 82,446 October 2000 June 2002 
			 Kevin Finegan 235,000 July 1998 May 2001 
			 
			 Senior counsel representing NICRA 
			 Sir Louis Blom Cooper 507,359 December 2000 March 2004 
			 
			 Junior counsel representing the families 
			 John Coyle 429,021 September 1999 February 2003 
			 Fiona Doherty 164,272 October 2000 October 2002 
			 Ciaran Harvey 597,580 December 2000 March 2004 
			 Richard Harvey 611,292 October 2000 June 2004 
			 Brian Kennedy 594,716 July 1999 June 2003 
			 Philip Magee 83,175 June 1998 October 2000(21) 
			 Kieran Mallon 801,759, March 1999 June 2004 
			 Brian McCartney 832,707 October 1998 May 2004 
			 Karen Quinlivan 290,193 March 1999 May 2002 
			 Patricia Smyth 328,718 October 1998 June 2002 
			 Michael Topolski 139,940 November 2000 March 2004(22) 
			 Mary McHugh 384,111 February 2002 March 2004 
			 
			 Junior counsel representing NICRA 
			 Paddy O'Hanlon 230,151 November 2000 October 2002 
			 
			 Solicitors representing the families 
			 Barr and Co. 631,736 February 1999 June 2004 
			 Brendan Kearney and Co. 792,901 July 1999 September 2003 
			 Desmond Doherty and Co. 1,157,583 November 1998 May 2004 
			 MacDermott and McGurk 1,122,144 November 1998 May 2004 
			 Madden and Finucane 8,100,577 January 1998 May 2004 
			 McCann and McCann 630,018 October 1998 May 2004 
			 McCartney and Casey 1,145,883 November 1998 May 2004 
			 
			 Solicitor representing NICRA
			 Francis Kennan 436,125 May 2000 June 2003 
			 
			 Legal representatives for other witnesses 
			 Various solicitors and counsel 12,539,645 April 1998 April 2003 
		
	
	(17) Left the case in December 2000.
	(18) Left the case (as a junior) in September 2000 and rejoined the case (as a senior) in July 2001.
	(19) Left the case in June 1999.
	(20) Having started as a junior in March 1998, became a senior counsel in September 2000.
	(21) Left the case in September 2000.
	(22) Left the case in June 2001.
	My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence has advised me that the following payments have been made to counsel and solicitors in respect of work for the Bloody Sunday Inquiry by his Department.
	
		
			  Payments 
			 Senior counsel representing HM armed forces made (£) 
		
		
			 Edwin Glasgow QC 3,947,632 
			 Edmund Lawson QC 938,748 
			 David Lloyd Jones QC 1,070,465 
			 Gerard Elias QC 1,776,319 
			 Peter Clarke QC 958,852 
			 Sir Allan Green QC 1,517,201 
			 Rosamund Horwood-Smart QC 660,445 
			 Sir Sydney Kentridge QC 52,875 
			 Anna Worrall QC 100,456 
			   
			 Senior counsel representing MOD  
			 Ian Burnett QC 228,007 
			 Philip Havers QC 7,138 
			   
			 Junior counsel representing HM armed forces  
			 Alexander Milne 408,662 
			 Bridget Petherbridge 136,798 
			 Huw Davies 369,374 
			 Ian Leist 965,146 
			 Michael Hick 253,895 
			 Gaby Bonham-Carter 277,392 
			 Pamela Morrison 131,378 
			 Kristian Mills 56,928 
			 Nicholas Moss 974,636 
			 Sam Grodzinski 1,877 
			 Stephen Requena 88,160 
			 Alan May 299,009 
			 Andrew Hurst 585,905 
			 David Bradly 1,269,715 
			 Michael Bools 925,446 
			 Nicholas Griffin 1,190,074 
			 Thomas Quinton 409,945 
			   
			 Junior counsel representing the MOD  
			 William Hoskins 8,620 
			 Sacha Ackland 2,775 
			 Jonathan Hough 4,488 
			   
			 Solicitors representing HM armed forces  
			 Devonshires 1,931,140 
			 Kingsley Napley 1,930,774 
			 Payne Hicks Beach 3,016,781 
			 Jacqueline Duff 172,333 
			 Treasury Solicitor 2,711,326

Speech and Language Therapists

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many speech and language therapists are employed in each of the Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland.

Angela Smith: The information requested is provided in the table.
	
		
			  Area  Headcount Whole-time equivalent 
		
		
			 NHSSB 82 71.82 
			 SHSSB 57 50.41 
			 EHSSB 156 130.98 
			 WHSSB 50 48.13 
			 Total 345 301.34

Speech and Language Therapists

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many speech and language therapists are employed by the Western Health and Social Services Board in County Fermanagh.

Angela Smith: Information on the number of speech and language therapists employed by the Western Health and Social Services Board in County Fermanagh is not held centrally. Speech and language therapists are employed by trusts within each board area and will cover the entire trust area. The table shows the number of speech and language therapists employed by the Western Health and Social Services Board by trust.
	
		
			  Trust  Headcount Whole- time equivalent 
		
		
			 Foyle Community HSS Trust 30 28.13 
			 Sperrin/Lakeland HSS Trust 20 20.00 
			 Total 50 48.13

Prisons

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many suicides there have been at prisons in the Province in each of the last 10 years.

Ian Pearson: There have been 37 recorded deaths in custody over the last 10 years. Where the cause of death has been determined by a Coroner's inquest, 18 of the deaths were found to be suicide. An inquest is awaited on four deaths.
	
		
			  Total deaths (including suicides) Deaths recorded as suicides 
		
		
			 1995 3 2 
			 1996 5 4 
			 1997 8 1 
			 1998 2 1 
			 1999 4 3 
			 2000 6 4 
			 2001 0 0 
			 2002 2 (23)2 
			 2003 3 (24)1 
			 2004 4 (24)0 
			 Total 37 18 
		
	
	(23) In one case, the Coroner recorded a verdict of did not die by own act".
	(24) Two further cases, in both 2003 and 2004, await the verdict of an inquest.

Tourist Board

Jeffrey M Donaldson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what grants have been made by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board to the owners of boats on inland waterways in Northern Ireland in each of the last five years.

Barry Gardiner: The Northern Ireland Tourist Board (NITB) has offered no grants to the owners of boats on inland waterways in Northern Ireland since 2000.

Theft and Fraud

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will estimate the cost to the Province's health service of (a) theft and (b) fraud in each of the last six years.

Angela Smith: Information on the estimate of the cost to the Province's health service of (a) theft and (b) fraud, in each of the last six years is provided in the following table:
	
		
			   Year ending 31 March   Reported losses due to theft and fraud(25)(£) Estimate of loss due to incorrect claiming of prescription exemption (26) (£ million) 
		
		
			 2004 61,721 8.0 
			 2003 121,204 10.0 
			 2002 118,148 10.0 
			 2001 238,972 11.3 
			 2000 71,557 13.8 
			 1999 24,956 12.1 
		
	
	(25) This represents the amounts reported in the annual accounts of the Department, Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts. It should be noted that the figures for years ending 31 March 1999, 2000 and 2001 relate to Health and Social Services Boards and Trusts only as figures for the Department were not collected until year ended 31 March 2002. The information is not separately available on losses due to theft and fraud.
	(26) It should be noted that the estimate of loss due to incorrect claiming of exemptions from prescription charges, will include those losses due to error as well as fraud.
	The Department remains committed to the continuing reduction of loss of funds due to fraud and theft.

Town Centre Retailing

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what his policy is on the use of planning guidance and planning powers to protect the economic viability of town centre retailing in Northern Ireland.

John Spellar: The current policy is set out in Planning Policy Statement 5—Retailing and Town Centres. It sets out policies on major retail development to sustain and enhance the vitality and viability of town centres. This policy is currently being updated and it is proposed to introduce sequential and needs tests that will further protect and enhance the economic viability of town centre retailing in Northern Ireland.

Trolley Waits

Iris Robinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many trolley waits (a) in total and (b) lasting more than two hours there were in the Province during each quarter over the last five years; and how many trolley waits there were on each day since 1 December 2004.

Angela Smith: The total number of hospital trolley waits is reported to the Department by trusts on a quarterly basis.
	
		Number of hospital trolley waits recorded in Northern Ireland by quarter1999–2000 to 2003–2004
		
			  Number patients waiting on a trolley 
			 Quarter Over 2 hours Total 
		
		
			 30 June 1999 1,018 13,994 
			 30 September 1999 1,265 15,172 
			 31 December 1999 1,686 16,416 
			 31 March 2000 2,071 17,743 
			 1999–2000 6,040 63,325 
			
			 30 June 2000 1,701 17,296 
			 30 September 2000 1,960 17,483 
			 31 December 2000 2,851 21,735 
			 31 March 2001 3,834 19,365 
			 2000–01 10,346 75,879 
			
			 30 June 2001 2,943 18,491 
			 30 September 2001 3,421 18,976 
			 31 December 2001 4,054 19,544 
			 31 March 2002 4,623 20,407 
			 2001–02 15,041 77,418 
			
			 30-June 2002 5,207 21,247 
			 30 September 2002 5,180 24,320 
			 31 December 2002 7,046 25,135 
			 31 March 2003 7,698 25,680 
			 2002–03 25,131 96,382 
			
			 30 June 2003 6,896 25,620 
			 30 September 2003 6,468 26,080 
			 31 December 2003 7,750 26,424 
			 31 March 2004 8,864 25,969 
			 2003–04 29,978 104,093 
		
	
	Note:
	In a small number of cases trusts have returned data for a representative sample of trolley waits.
	The Department also receives daily returns (Monday to Friday) on the number of trolley waits based on a snapshot taken at 9.00am in each accident and emergency department across Northern Ireland.
	
		Number of hospital trolley waits recorded at 9.00am in Northern Ireland each week day from 1 December 2004,19 January 2005
		
			 Date Trolley waits 
		
		
			 1 December 2004 51 
			 2 December 2004 62 
			 3 December 2004 59 
			 6 December 2004 54 
			 7 December 2004 82 
			 8 December 2004 67 
			 9 December 2004 58 
			 10 December 2004 69 
			 13 December 2004 64 
			 14 December 2004 69 
			 15 December 2004 80 
			 16 December 2004 59 
			 17 December 2004 52 
			 20 December 2004 66 
			 21 December 2004 46 
			 22 December 2004 42 
			 23 December 2004 28 
			 24 December 2004 4 
			 27 December 2004 3 
			 28 December 2004 11 
			 29 December 2004 14 
			 30 December 2004 56 
			 31 December 2004 78 
			 3 January 2005 66 
			 4 January 2005 100 
			 5 January 2005 128 
			 6 January 2005 128 
			 7 January 2005 96 
			 10 January 2005 109 
			 11 January 2005 166 
			 12 January 2005 84 
			 13 January 2005 93 
			 14 January 2005 80 
			 17 January 2005 81 
			 18 January 2005 104 
			 19 January 2005 89 
		
	
	Note:
	This information shows a snapshot of the number of trolley waits at 9.00am each weekday.
	The Department also receives daily returns (Monday to Friday) on the number of trolley waits based on a snapshot taken at 9.00am in each accident and emergency department across Northern Ireland.
	
		Number of hospital trolley waits recorded at 9.00am in each acute hospital on 19 January 2005
		
			 Hospital Number 
		
		
			 Altnagelvin 0 
			 Antrim 5 
			 Belfast City 17 
			 Causeway 0 
			 Craigavon 13 
			 Downe 0 
			 Lagan Valley 6 
			 Mater 16 
			 Mid Ulster 3 
			 Daisy Hill 0 
			 Royal Victoria 18 
			 Sperrin Lakeland(27) 0 
			 Ulster 11 
			 Whiteabbey 0 
			 Total 89 
		
	
	(27) Data is not supplied separately for Tyrone county hospital and Erne hospital. This information shows a snapshot of the number of trolley waits at 9.00am each week day morning.

Tsunami (Fraud)

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on fraudulent attempts in Northern Ireland by persons claiming to seek donations destined for victims of the recent tsunami; what his assessment is of (a) the nature of this fraud and (b) how widespread it is; and what advice his Department has given to members of the public about making secure donations.

Ian Pearson: As of 17 January, the police service of Northern Ireland noted one minor incident of fraudulent charity collection in connection with the tsunami disaster in Asia. The amount of money involved amounted to no more than £5.
	General advice about giving only to registered charities and persons who hold collection permits was circulated by the police last week, via the media. This represented sensible precautions to be taken when contributing to charity appeals, and was not released in connection with any specific incident of fraudulent fund raising.

Ulster Hospital

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time for surgery at the Ulster hospital was in each of the last four years.

Angela Smith: The average length of wait (in days) for people who had surgery at the Ulster hospital in each of the last four years for which information is available is detailed in the following table.
	
		
			  Average number of days waiting prior to admission 
		
		
			 2000–01 63 
			 2001–02 64 
			 2002–03 76 
			 2003–04 87 
		
	
	Source:
	Hospital Inpatients System (DHSSPSNI)

Ulster Hospital

Lady Hermon: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the average waiting time for treatment in the accident and emergency department at the Ulster Hospital was in each of the last (a) three months, (b) six months and (c) 12 months for which statistics are available.

Angela Smith: The Ulster hospital is unable to calculate the average time waited by patients who received treatment in the Accident and Emergency department. However, the Trust has supplied the number of patients treated within the standard set for their priority categories (see the following).
	There are five priority categories that patients who attend Accident and Emergency are assigned to:
	Priority 1—to be seen by a doctor within five minutes
	Priority 2—to be seen by a doctor within 10 minutes
	Priority 3—to be seen by a doctor within 60 minutes
	Priority 4—to be seen by a doctor within 120 minutes
	Priority 5—to be seen by a doctor within 240 minutes
	
		Number of patients treated in the Accident and Emergency Department at the Ulster hospital
		
			  Priority 
			  1 2 3 4 5 
		
		
			 (a) October-December 2004 
			 Treated within standard 35 272 3,500 4,149 175 
			 Not treated within standard 30 546 2,682 1,266 7 
			 Total treated October- December 2004 65 818 6,182 5,415 182 
			 (b) July-December 2004 
			 Treated within standard 66 550 7,036 9,638 386 
			 Not treated within standard 46 1,059 5,305 2,849 12 
			 Total treated July- December 2004 112 1,609 12,341 11,487 398 
			 (c) January-December 2004 
			 Treated within standard 134 1,119 12,728 15,651 742 
			 Not treated within standard 87 2,350 11,548 6,769 36 
			 Total treated January- December 2004 221 3,469 24,276 22,420 778 
		
	
	Source:
	Ulster Community and Hospitals HSS Trust

HEALTH

Allergies

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations he has received on EU Directive 2000/13/EC in respect of ingredients listing and allergens.

Melanie Johnson: A recent amendment of European Union Directive 2000/13/EC on ingredient listing will require the declaration of all ingredients including allergens on pre-packed food from November 2005. The Food Standards Agency (FSA) consulted on the new requirements and the representations received indicated wide support for the new rules from allergy support groups and food manufacturers. In addition, a number of respondents identified the need for better control of the use of may contain" allergen labelling, and the need for the provision of more allergen information for foods sold loose and in catering establishments. The FSA is actively considering with key stakeholders how best to encourage the provision of clearer, more helpful allergen information in these cases.

Allergies

Keith Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the Government's strategy is for allergy prevention.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department is committed to ensuring that the national health service develops an allergy service which offers high quality and personalised care to all its patients.
	The Department will work with a wide range of key players to ensure future developments in allergy care are credible and command respect and ownership of those people they are designed to help and the practitioners who care for them. The first key stage of this work will be to carry out a review of the available data and research on the epidemiology of allergic conditions, the demand for and provision of treatment and the effectiveness of relevant interventions. Developing a sound evidence base will be essential to determining the correct future direction of allergy services.

Chinese People (Care Provision)

Andrew Dismore: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what mechanisms local authorities and other partners use to work together to provide accommodation with culturally appropriate services and extra care provision to Chinese older people under the National Service Framework.

Stephen Ladyman: It is the responsibility of local commissioners and providers to work together to ensure that the provision of all health and care services are receptive to the needs of people from different ethnic communities and respect cultural differences, as promoted in the national service framework for older people. The provision of Extra Care" housing does not preclude any ethnic group.

Choosing Health

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he will publish the Delivery Strategy for the public health White Paper, Choosing Health.

Melanie Johnson: A commitment was given in the public health White Paper, Choosing Health", to publish a delivery plan early in 2005". The date of publication has not yet been finalised.

Cleanliness Scores

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the results of the 2004 Patient Environment Action Team cleanliness scores were passed to the Healthcare Commission.

Melanie Johnson: In accordance with a methodology determined by the Healthcare Commission, they received information based on patient environment action team scores, aggregated to trust level, on 28 May 2004.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total external spending by his Department was on public private partnership (PPP) consultants in each of the last two years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PPP consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr.Burstow) on 20 July 2004, Official Report, column 162W, in which I listed expenditure by the Department and the national health service on external consultancy services in each year from 1996–97 to 2003–04. It is not possible to identify separately the figures for consultancy spend on public private partnership consultants.

Departmental Costs

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the total external spend by his Department was on private finance initiative (PFI) consultants in each of the last two years; how many full-time equivalent consultants were employed over this period; how many billed consultancy days there were per year; what the implied average cost of each PFI consultant was; how many consultancy firms were used by his Department over this period; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: The external spend on private finance initiative consultancy work in each of the last two complete financial years was:
	
		
			  Cost (£) Number of firms 
		
		
			 April 2002 to March 2003 207,171 6 
			 April 2003 to March 2004 892,859 12 
		
	
	The fee charged in the majority of cases was for specific work at an agreed cost with the company. It is, therefore, not possible to calculate how many consultants were employed, nor how many consultancy days there were per year.

Dermatology

Bruce George: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what assessment he has made of the length of time that patients with severe skin diseases will wait to access new biological and immuno-suppressant therapies; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what impact he expects the cost of new biological and immuno-suppressant therapies to have on dermatology services and their resources; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  if he will take steps to ensure that patients with chronic skin diseases have access to the widest possible range of treatments, including new biological and immuno-suppressant therapies.

Stephen Ladyman: The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) has been commissioned to assess the clinical and cost effectiveness of Efalizumab and Etanercept in the treatment of psoriasis and are expected to provide guidance to the national health service by October 2005.
	Once advice from NICE is available, we expect the NHS to fund recommended drugs where these are clinically appropriate. The NHS has three months from the date of publication of each technology appraisal guidance to provide funding for treatments.
	The delivery of health services, including the funding of treatments recommended by NICE, rests with primary care trusts (PCTs). It is for PCTs to decide what services to provide for their populations, including the treatment of chronic skin conditions, as they are best placed to understand local health needs and commission services to meet them accordingly.

DPT Vaccine

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1) when mercury was removed from the diptheria, polio and tetanus (DPT) vaccine used in the UK;
	(2)  what assessment his Department has made of the effect of mercury in the diptheria, polio and tetanus (DPT) vaccine (a) on the immune system and (b) in reaction with the MMR vaccine.

Melanie Johnson: Prior to 27 September 2004, ethylmercury was present in the combined diphtheria, tetanus and whole-cell pertussis vaccine (DTwP) in the form of the preservative thiomersal. With the introduction of a new combined diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis, inactivated polio and Haemophilus influenzae type b (DTaP/IPV/Hib) vaccine on this date, the routine childhood immunisation programme no longer includes a thiomersal-containing vaccine.
	This change was made because the low risk of importation of polio in the United Kingdom provided the opportunity to move from the use of a live polio vaccine to an inactivated polio vaccine as well as the availability of an acellular pertussis vaccine which was as effective as the previous whole-cell pertussis. Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine does not contain (and never has contained) thiomersal.
	There is no credible scientific evidence that demonstrates a mechanism through which thiomersal in DTP could interact with MMR. The issue of whether ethylmercury-containing vaccines could affect a constituent of another vaccine has been considered by the US Institute of Medicine (IOM) as part of their review of multiple immunizations and immune dysfunction (Immunization Safety Review: 'Multiple Immunizations and Immune Dysfunction', 2002). Several large studies have found no evidence of a link between either MMR vaccine or thiomersal-containing vaccines and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) drug and alcohol rehabilitation units and (b) drug rehabilitation beds there were in (i) England, (ii) North Somerset local authority and (iii) the constituency of Weston-super-Mare in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 24 January 2005
	In England, there are currently 111 residential rehabilitation units and 2,414 drug rehabilitation beds.
	In North Somerset, there are 12 rehabilitation units and 269 rehabilitation beds.
	In Weston-super-Mare, there are 11 rehabilitation units and 213 rehabilitation beds.
	Full details can be found on the National Treatment Agency's (NTA) residential services directory at www.nta.uk/residential/index. The NTA have published this information from summer 2003 and it is not available before this date.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many individuals received treatment at drug rehabilitation centres in (a) North Somerset and (b) the constituency of Weston-super-Mare in each year since 1997; and what proportion of those receiving treatment discharged themselves from treatment services after less than 12 weeks.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 24 January 2005
	The National Drug Monitoring System (NDTMS) has data for 2003–04. NDTMS data is not available for earlier years or at constituency level.
	In 2003–04, there were 304 people in treatment in the two rehabilitation units in North Somerset for which data are available.
	Out of the 304 people in treatment in North Somerset in 2003–04, 36 (12 per cent.) left or dropped out of treatment before 12 weeks.

Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation

Brian Cotter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if the Government will take steps to require all drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres (a) to be registered with (i) local authorities and (ii) other bodies and (b) to be subject to an inspection regime.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 24 January 2005
	From the commencement of the Care Standards Act 2000 in April 2002, the registration and inspection of drug and alcohol rehabilitation units as care homes became the responsibility of the National Care Standards Commission (NCSC). In April 2003, the NCSC became part of the new Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), and NCSCs role of registration and inspection is now part of the work of CSCI.
	The Fees and Frequency of Inspections Regulations 2004 require CSCI to inspect most establishments a minimum of once or twice a year.

Eastbourne District General Hospital

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on waiting lists at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Rosie Winterton: Eastbourne District General Hospital is part of East Sussex Hospitals National Health Service Trust. The Trust is currently achieving both elective admission and first out-patient appointment waiting time targets.
	In March 2003, there were 403 patients, waiting over nine months for in-patient treatment. According to latest available data (November 2004), there were no patients waiting over nine months.
	In March 2003, there were 302 patients waiting over 17 weeks for out-patient treatment. According to latest available data (September 2004), there were no patients waiting over 17 weeks.

EU Constitution (Rights of the Child)

Graham Brady: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhether it is his Department's assessment that the requirement of article 1–3(3) of the proposed EU Constitution for the protection of the rights of the child applies to unborn children.

John Hutton: The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union is a political declaration and currently not legally binding. It has been incorporated within the EU Constitution signed recently, and once that is ratified and in force, the Charter will be binding on the EU institutions, and on member states in so far as they are implementing EU law. However, the regulation of medical ethical issues, such as the rights of the unborn child, is not regulated under EU law, and as such, the Charter would not apply.

Food Supplements Directive

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of (a) the effect upon consumers and (b) the impact on his Department's work towards its policy objectives of the removal from the market after July of those food supplements which are regarded as safe by United Kingdom regulatory authorities but which do not meet the technical requirements of the Food Supplements Directive and the Food Supplements (England) Regulations 2003.

Melanie Johnson: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to him on 6 December, 2004, Official Report, columns 351–52W.

Haringey Social Services

Kali Mountford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people are employed in Haringey Social Services Department, broken down by grade; what the vacancy rate is; and how many care managers in specialist teams for mental health are employed.

Stephen Ladyman: At 30 September 2003 (the latest date for which data are available) the whole time equivalent number of staff directly employed by Haringey Social Services Department was 1,295. Data on the number of care managers in specialist teams solely for mental health are not available centrally, but as at 30 September 2003, the whole time equivalent number of care managers in specialist teams for mental health, people with learning disabilities and/or people with physical disabilities directly employed by Haringey was 10. Data on numbers of staff by grade and vacancy rates are not available centrally.

Hepatitis C

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how much funding was spent on hepatitis C treatment by Norfolk primary care trusts (PCTs) in each of the last five years; and what guidance he has issued to those PCTs on treatment for hepatitis C.

Melanie Johnson: We do not hold the information requested about expenditure on hepatitis C treatment by Norfolk primary care trusts.
	The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) published guidance on the use of interferon alfa (pegylated and non-pegylated) and ribavarin for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C in January 2004. The guidance is available on NICE'S website at http://www.nice.org.uk/page.aspx?o=101627.

Hepatitis C

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what funding has been allocated in 2004–05 for hepatitis C awareness and prevention.

Melanie Johnson: Estimated central expenditure on activities connected with hepatitis C awareness-raising and prevention in 2004–05 is £780,000.

Hepatitis C

Ian Gibson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice the Government have given to primary care trusts concerning the relationship between hepatitis C and chronic disease.

Melanie Johnson: The national health service hepatitis C awareness website at www.hepc.nhs.uk and associated publication, Hepatitis C: essential information for professionals and guidance on testing", both contain information on hepatitis C and liver disease. Guidance from the National Institute of Clinical Excellence on the treatment of chronic hepatitis C also contains similar advice.

Homelessness

Claire Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how his Department provides access to (a) detoxification services and (b) primary health care for homeless people.

Melanie Johnson: The Department provides access to detoxification services for homeless people via funding through the pooled drug treatment budget, which is £253.4 million in 2004–05, in addition to primary care trust (PCT) mainstream expenditure.
	The National Treatment Agency, which was set up by Government in 2001 to increase the effectiveness and availability of drug treatment is working closely with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. This is to ensure that drug action teams, which have the responsibility for commissioning drug treatment services locally, including detoxification, include the needs of homeless drug users in their treatment plans.
	Access is also provided by primary health care for homeless people through PCTs, which have a duty to secure the provision of primary medical services for their local populations, including any homeless people. The new contractual framework for primary medical services now offers PCTs a variety of contracting mechanisms, including provision of a service themselves, to help them to discharge this duty.

Hospital Infections

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what circumstances a product or treatment may bypass the Rapid Review Panel assessment; and if he will list the products or treatments that have done so.

Melanie Johnson: Consideration by the rapid review panel may not be appropriate for products where the results of manufacturers' own studies have shown that the product has potential value for hospitals and other healthcare premises. To date, only the JohnsonDiversey Jonmaster microfibre cleaning system has not been considered by the panel on these grounds.
	Information on products used to prevent and control healthcare associated infections is not collected centrally and it is not compulsory for manufacturers to go through the Health Protection Agency rapid review panel in order to make their product available in the national health service.

Intermediate Care Accommodation

Jonathan R Shaw: To ask the Secretary of State for Health under what provisions of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Act 2003 the inspection of intermediate care accommodation is required.

Stephen Ladyman: Health care facilities providing intermediate care are inspected under the provisions of Part two of the Health and Social Care (Community Health and Standards) Standards Act 2003. Social care facilities providing intermediate care may be inspected under the Care Standards Act 2000, if that care is provided by an establishment or agency as defined in sections four and five of that Act.

London Heart Hospital

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of purchasing the London Heart Hospital; whether the hospital is working at full capacity; and if he will make a statement.

John Hutton: holding answer 24 January 2005
	This is a matter for the Chair of the University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust. I have written to the Chairman, Peter Dixon, informing him of the hon. Member's inquiry.

Telecommunications Masts

Chris Ruane: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent international research he has assessed on the health risks of mobile phone masts.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 18 January 2005
	The National Radiological Protection Board provides statutory advice on risks from exposure to radiation and electromagnetic fields. Their recent publication Mobile Phones and Health 2004" (Documents of the NRPB, Vol. 15, No. 5, 2004) issued on 11 January has reviewed the possible health implications of mobile phones and base stations and made a number of recommendations. Appendix D of the report lists and summarises recent research reviews from a number of different countries. The report is available on the NRPB website www.nrpb.org and copies are available in the Library. The Government are currently considering the recommendations.

MRI Scans/Scanners

Mark Fisher: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times for MRI scans were in (a) the South Staffordshire Hospital Trust and (b) each of the primary care trusts in Stoke-on-Trent in the last period for which figures are available.

Stephen Ladyman: The information requested is not held centrally.

MRI Scans/Scanners

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will estimate the cost of (a) a MRI scanner and (b) a CT scanner; and what resource funding is needed to run a scanner for a year.

Melanie Johnson: The costs of both magnetic resonance image (MRI) scanners and computed tomography (CT) scanners are dependent on a number of factors, such as scanner specification, software and hardware options included and the price submitted by the supplier during the tender process.
	The approximate capital purchase costs of an MRI scanner may range from £700,000 to £1,700,000, and £400,000 to £800,000 for a CT scanner.
	Revenue funding for CT and MRI scanners will also vary according to staff numbers who operate these scanners directly or indirectly. These include radiologists, radiographers and administrative and clerical staff. There are also non-staff costs such as the maintenance contract, consumable use, and depreciation rate. The annual revenue costs for CT and MRI scanners may range from £250,000 to £400,000 per annum.

MRSA

Charles Hendry: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research he has evaluated on the proportion of people who carry MRSA in their nostrils with no adverse effect to themselves; and what precautions are taken to protect hospital patients from medical practitioners who may be carrying MRSA in this way.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 January 2005
	Many people are known to carry methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus" (MRSA) with no adverse consequences to themselves or others but precise numbers are not available. The prevalence of MRSA in hospital settings varies considerably and transmission is controlled by good infection control and cleaning practices. The Government have published guidance including Winning Ways and Towards Cleaner Hospitals and Lower rates of Infection" to help the national health service locally control the spread of infection.

MRSA

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether the Government will provide compensation to those contracting MRSA in national health service hospitals and clinics.

Melanie Johnson: Currently, compensation can only be awarded if a claim for clinical negligence has been made and a breach of duty of care towards the patient is admitted or proven.

Pressure Sores

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what estimate he has made of the incidence of pressure sores in hospitals in the last year for which figures are available; and how many patients were affected;
	(2)  what estimate he has made of the incidence of pressure sores in care homes in the last year for which figures are available; and for what proportion of patients this problem originated in the acute sector.

Stephen Ladyman: The data are not collected centrally. Pressure sores should be monitored as part of the clinical governance arrangements across the national health service and should also be included in Healthcare Commission inspections.

Public Bodies

George Osborne: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  how many people are employed by the (a) Public Health Laboratory Service, (b) Family Health Services Special Health Authority and (c) NHS Counter Fraud and Security Management Service; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body;
	(2)  how many people are employed by (a) NHS Estates, (b) NHS Professionals, (c) UK Transplant, (d) the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation Trusts and (e) the NHS University; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body;
	(3)  how many people are employed by the (a) Commission for Patient and Public Involvement in Health, (b) Mental Health Act Commission, (c) National Care Standards Commission, (d) NHS Appointments Commission and (e) Retained Organs Commission; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body;
	(4)  how many people are employed by the (a) Dental Vocational Training Authority, (b) Human Fertility and Embryology Authority, (c) National Clinical Assessment Authority, (d) National Blood Authority, (e) NHS Logistics Authority and (f) Prescription Pricing Authority; what the running cost of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body;
	(5)  how many people are employed by the (a) Health Development Agency, (b) NHS Information Agency, (c) NHS Modernisation Agency and (d) NHS Pensions Agency; what the running costs of each body was in the last year for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement on the future of each body.

John Hutton: Figures for gross operating costs and staff for these bodies were published in the 20 July report, Reconfiguring the Department of Health's Arm's Length Bodies". This report is available in the Library. Staffing levels and running costs will have changed since then and will be adjusted further in setting budgets for 2005–06.
	The National Care Standards Commission and the Retained Organs Commission were dissolved on 1 April 2004.
	A written ministerial statement about the future of these bodies was made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health on Tuesday 30 November, Official Report, columns 24–27WS. An implementation framework, setting out the timetable and process for a number of changes, was published and copies are available in the Library.

Social Services (Older People)

Sandra Gidley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action he is taking to improve the assessment of older social services clients; and when he expects that the Government target of 70 per cent. completion within two weeks will be reached.

Stephen Ladyman: In July 2002, the Government announced an additional £1 billion for social services over three years from 2003–04 to 2005–06. We are investing in a range of initiatives to improve care for all older people including grants of £684 million in 2005–06. Councils can use this funding to speed up assessments and the provision of care.
	I now expect councils with social services responsibilities to be meeting the December 2004 targets on assessment.

Stewart Report

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  which of the recommendations from the Mobile Phone and Health 2004 report by Sir William Stewart have been implemented;
	(2)  whether he has met Sir William Stewart to discuss his report Mobile Phones and Health 2004; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Sir William Stewart, in his capacity as Chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB), announced the new report, Mobile Phones and Health 2004"—Documents of the NRPB, Vol. 15, No 5, 2004—on 11 January 2005. The report has provided a review of the progress made since the Stewart Report in May 2000 and made a number of observations and recommendations. The report is available on the NRPB website at www.nrpb.org and copies are available in the Library. Ministers have not met with Sir William to discuss the report and officials are currently considering the detailed recommendations.

Waiting Times

Adam Price: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average waiting times for (a) inpatient and (b) outpatient appointments were in England in each of the last five years.

John Hutton: Table 1 shows the median waiting time for an inpatient admission at end of month for patients still waiting from March 2000 to November 2004, England.
	
		Table 1: Median waiting time for inpatient waiters
		
			 Month ended Weeks 
		
		
			 March 2000 12.9 
			 March 2001 12.6 
			 March 2002 12.7 
			 March 2003 11.9 
			 March 2004 10.2 
			 November 2004 8.4 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health, QF01 (commissioner based)
	Table 2 shows outpatient waiting times, median waits for patients seen during the quarter, March 2000 to November 2004, England.
	
		Table 2: Median outpatient waiting time
		
			 Quarter ending Weeks 
		
		
			 March 2000 7.73 
			 March 2001 7.46 
			 March 2002 7.63 
			 March 2003 7.40 
			 March 2004 7.08 
			 Sept 2004 7.13 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health, QM08R (commissioner based)

Special Advisers

Andrew Tyrie: To ask the Secretary of State for Healthwhether the contracts signed by his special advisers differ from the Model Contract for Special Advisers.

John Hutton: I refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister on 17 January 2004, Official Report, column 753W.

Substance Misuse

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which countries were visited by his Department's officials and Ministers in relation to substance misuse in 2004.

Melanie Johnson: In 2004, officials visited Portugal, Poland and Belgium in relation to substance misuse.
	No countries were visited by Departmental Ministers in 2004 in relation to substance misuse.